The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) – Human Services Cooperatives (HSC) Cluster successfully launched a 2-day workshop on Pipelining the Filipino Skilled Workforce on January 23-24, 2025, in Iriga City, positioning the city as a model for the program’s implementation.
This initiative aims to address the rising demand for highly skilled Filipino workers in both local and global markets by organizing cooperatives capable of deploying skilled labor to meet industry demands.
According to Anabelle Dizon-Tuy from CDA and primemover of Iriga City Arriba Co-camp, this program is making difference in Agriculture as part of the intervening program for inclusivity growth of the families in the cooperative sector.
Significant outcomes of the workshop included the creation of two Technical Working Groups (TWGs): one for Workforce Development and another for Agriculture, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and economic growth for cooperative families. These TWGs aim to streamline efforts in building a labor service cooperative and establishing the Iriga City Cooperative Union, a milestone for the local cooperative movement.
ASEC Vergel M. Hilario of CDA, highlighted the crucial role of workers’ cooperatives in skills development and job placement, noting that Iriga’s success could serve as a model for other cities nationwide.
This collaborative effort brought together key agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and CDA, ensuring comprehensive support for the program.
Iriga City’s leadership and commitment to workforce development not only strengthen its cooperative sector but also position the city as a trailblazer in advancing the cooperative movement and addressing workforce challenges on both local and global fronts.
Source: Lungsod Ng Iriga