The Baguio Benguet Community Credit Cooperative was recognized for having the best practices that promote productivity that encompasses management and its labor force during the 2019 National Productivity Olympics of the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
The BBCCC ruled over four other finalists under the Service, Small Establishment category of the competition that aims to recognize the importance of productivity improvement programs to improve performance and enhance competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises.
The coop is among the 33 finalists chosen from 149 regional winners under agribusiness, industry, and service, each with finalists that vied under small, micro, and medium establishment categories.
The coop received the award along with winners last Oct. 4 in Manila in an awarding ceremony held also in celebration of October as Quality and Productivity Month.
BBCCC was cited for crafting productivity improvement programs to address its previous conditions where the cooperative had high overhead costs, high delinquencies/past due accounts, in need of satellite offices, records management issues, in need of automation especially on administrative matters, and had underutilized or idle spaces.
Jane P. Suyatan, BBCCC manager, said from 2018 the coop board and management came up with the programs with the help of its personnel and members, who they consult for ways of improving the organization and whose inputs and suggestions are factored in their decision-making.
She said the BBCCC, one of the most established cooperative movements in Northern Luzon with 26,000 members, has always promoted and encouraged participative approach within and among members of the coop for the common goal of having and sharing of benefits that leads to improved quality of life not only of its members but also the development of non-members who are part of the community.
Other finalists from the Cordillera are the Majila Processed Foods (micro, agribusiness); Gabay Wines and Fruit Preserves (micro, industry); Narda’s Handwoven Arts and Crafts which received a special citation (small, industry); and Philippine Treasures Inc. (medium, industry).
The MSMEs’ programs are evaluated based on their impact on business performance, workers’ participation in the program, and the adoption of gain-sharing practices. The Productivity Olympics is organized by the NWPC of Department of Labor and Employment in coordination with all its regional tripartite wages and productivity boards to intensify national awareness and commitment to quality and productivity andshowcase of best productivity improvement practices. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
