HISTORY OF
SUYO MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE

The cooperative was organized in 1972 by Rev. Fr. Francis Van Agthoven, a missionary priest from Holland with only 15 members and an initial share capital of Php 300.00 (Php 20.00 each). Those members were farmers who are religious/church-goers old folks. They started selling snacks, at the balcony of the convent handled by the lone catechist, the late Dominador Gomez. As demand arises they add more commodities such as the basic needs of the people. As there are additional members joining the organization, also an increase in capital, the priest put-up a store beside the church and hired a saleslady and they called the organization “Suyo Buyers Club” which operated as Consumer store.

In the late 1970’s, the government, organized the Samahang Nayon and the Kilusang Bayan. It was in this program that the “Suyo Credit Union” was born. The members of the Suyo Buyers Club were the same members who composed the Union. During its early stage of operation, activities were limited; the growth of the union is very slow. Due to “wait and see” attitude of the people. At the time, Fr. Francis was succeeded by Fr. Steve De Dapper, also a Belgian priest. He donated a certain amount to activate the dying union. He invited the late Augusto Mier, a cooperative specialist and a member of the Knight of Columbus of Manila, and Sister Lorenza to educate the first set of Officers headed by the first chairman of the board, the late Dionisio P. Daplian. They also trained the lone staff, the late Lilia Benito who served as the manager/treasurer/bookkeeper. She received her allowance from the priest and none from the union. Later on, the BOD hired a part time bookkeeper and a part time manager, the late Erlinda B. Galuga. Young members were sent to attend trainings and seminars who then became the next leaders. In the meantime, the Suyo Buyers Club continued its operation as a Consumer Store. When the people saw that the union is growing smoothly and being inspired by the generosity of the priest, memberships have increased gradually. At the expense of the church, an adjacent room was built as an office of the Credit Union.

Early premises of the Suyo Consumer Store & Credit Union beside the church.

In September 10, 1981, it was registered with the Bureau of Cooperative Development with Registration number RI-FF-030 with the name Suyo Credit Cooperative, Inc. The old folks were succeeded by young and aggressive officers, and made a massive membership campaign, conducted outreach seminars to remote communities, capital build-up were launched, and hence there was a tremendous increase of memberships as well as in assets.

In 1988, the Coop has reached its million marks and received an outstanding award from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. From there on there was an increase of 2-3 million a year. On April 8, 1991, the Consumer Store and the Credit Coop merged and become the Suyo Multi-purpose Cooperative. The area of operations were extended to the nearby barangays of Sigay, Alilem, and Cervantes. On October 8, 2007, the first branch office was launched in Bitalag, Tagudin that leads to the amendments of the area of operation to Region I and CAR. As the operation expands the Cooperative opened two satellite offices at Vigan City and San Fernando City. In June 8, 2014, San Fernando Satellite office was launched as a branch. And in June 18, 2014; another branch was opened in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. The following year, another two branches was registered with Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Candon City and Vigan Satellite become a branch, it was launched on May 25 and June 8, 2016 respectively. Lately, in March 28, 2017, Itogon Branch was opened and also Cervantes Branch in April 28, 2019. La Trinidad satellite on October 18, 2019 became a branch on October 24, 2022. Laoag satellite on June 30, 2020 then became a Laoag branch on October 10, 2022.