The 4th National Convention of Ating-Koop Party List

March 2, 2013 marked another red-letter day for Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (Ating-Koop) Party List as it held its 4th National Convention at the function hall of Barangka Credit Cooperative in Barangka, Marikina City. The convention brought forth unity and camaraderie among its leaders and members, showing what true cooperation is all about. The theme for this year's convention is "New Challenges, New Victories".

The convention started with a Eucharistic Mass to thank the Lord for all the blessings He has bestowed upon the party and for His guidance as it traversed through a rough road that ultimately led to success. It was presided by Father Serafin "Perry" Peralta, who also happens to be the Chairman of the Board of the Metro South Cooperative Bank.

Solidarity messages were given by representatives from each region, all hailing from different cooperatives in the entire nation, showing unity and pledges of support and loyalty to the party. There was a total of 239 delegates enough to call a quorum. Hearing the messages of fellow cooperators is overwhelming yet very heartwarming and boosts one's strength and confidence to never give up on this fight for what is right and most of all, for the cooperative movement, that despite the odds, there are still a multitude of people who believes in the advocacies of the party and never ceased to give their support to the cause and the movement. 

Some of the attendees/delegations with their respective leaders:

1. Mindanao delegates as headed Mr. Lancelot Allan Padla, Vice President for Mindanao and the 3^rd nominee of Ating-Koop Party List. 
2. Visayas delegates. Mr. Jose Torres Jr., the Vice President for Visayas and 4^th nominee was acknowledged though he did not make it to the convention. The Visayas delegates were then headed by Judge Andres Garalza on behalf of Mr. Torres. 
3. Luzon - BICUL / Region 5 delegates as headed by Engr. Rey Dennis Gilbas, Chairman of Committee on Membership. 
4. Luzon – SLRL / QFUC Region IV delegates as headed by Mr. Mario Supsupin and the league manager, Ms. Victoria Villanueva.
5. Luzon – CLRL / Region III delegates as headed by Mr. Jun Pineda, Chairman of Committee on Political Affairs and Mr. Aurelio Jose, Vice President for Luzon
6. Luzon – NELCCO / Region II delegates as headed by Mr. Johnny Rosini, AK Regional President. 
7. Luzon – NORWESLU / Region I delegates as headed by Mr. Oscar Adversalo, AK Regional President and Chairman of the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives (PFCCO).
8. Luzon – NCRL delegates coming from Quezon City, Marikina, Manila, Pasig, Rizal, etc. as headed by Ms. Anabella Soriano - AK Regional Chairperson, Mr. Emeraldo Hernandez – AK Vice-Chairperson, and Dra. Elizabeth Dumapig. 

        The presence of Administrator Nelon Alindogan of the Cooperative Development Authority as well as the Chairman of the Philippine Federation of Cooperatives, Mr. Oscar Adversalo also graced the convention. 

            Mr. Adversalo pointed out the importance of PFCCO giving its support to the party being its parent organization and calls for unity within the party once and for all.

For the party, it does not matter which part of the country you are from, whether you hail from the lands of Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao. These people have different backgrounds, ways of life, and ideals and values in life, but they are brought together by one strong unifying force, and that is the spirit of cooperativism. 

Everyone is aware of the challenges that the campaign for the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections will bring to the party but with dedication, hard work, unity, faith, strength, and cooperation, nothing can stop Ating-Koop Party List to stand tall against whatever adversaries they shall be facing during this period. 

One of the highlights of the convention is the Ratification of the Nominees and the signing of the Covenant of Commitment of the six nominees where each of them read and signed what are expected of them as the future representatives of the cooperative sector in the country. It was followed by Status Reports made by Atty. Pete "Bitay" Principe and the Auditor's Report which was made by the Treasurer, Ms. Erlinda Duque.

Surely, all the cooperators who attended the convention felt the spirit cooperativism on that afternoon. And as long as everyone remains united, Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba shall beat all the odds and show everyone the power of the cooperative movement.

The BCC Dancers grooved to the rhythm of the Ating-Koop Party List campaign jingle.