RC San Fernando La Union to launch “RC SFLU RCC Agricultural Cooperative” to boost livelihood opportunities for Rotary Community Corps

Baroas peanuts on the go? Delicious Namtutan Cassava cake waiting to be discovered for the city to taste? Calabugao Banana Chips and Abut Hydroponics Lettuce for your picnic needs? All will be possible soon through the RCSFLU RCC Agricultural Cooperative!

The Rotary Club of San Fernando La Union is moving to formalize a club-wide cooperative to scale community farming and convert pilot successes into sustainable livelihoods.

RCSFLU conducted stepwise talks with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to clarify legal requirements, cooperative types, documentation for pre‑registration, membership and capitalization rules, and compliance obligations including bookkeeping and reporting. Guided by CDA advice, the club will follow a phased formation plan: stakeholder alignment and feasibility assessment; a preregistration seminar to recruit interested RCCs with a livelihood product they can sell and build capacity; drafting Articles of Cooperation and bylaws; defining share structure and an initial business plan focused on shared growth.

The preregistration seminar will cover cooperative fundamentals, governance, member rights and responsibilities, basic accounting, quality control for hydroponic produce, marketing and consignment mechanics, and templates to accelerate registration. Practical advice emphasizes starting small, documenting decisions, adopting transparent accounting, defining clear membership rules, and setting aside reinvestment funds.

Once registered, the RCC Agri-cooperative will give business legitimacy to our RCC products, giving them unprecedented reach in their selling of their signature products in pasalubong centers, groceries and through various consignment agreements.

This shall also serve as a pathway towards more investment towards the RCCs that would further able them to increase their production and give sustainable source of income and loans towards themselves and their established cooperative.

With CDA guidance and the preregistration seminar underway, the RCSFLU RCC Agricultural Cooperative aims to become a legally compliant, scalable vehicle for community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and inclusive economic growth.