Reelected Senator Cynthia Villar said the support of cooperatives from all over the country played a big role in her successful bid for a second term in the Senate.
During the 40th General Assembly of the National Market Vendors Confederation of Cooperatives at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City, Villar thanked the cooperatives for being one of her biggest supporters in the recent elections.
“Rest assured in my second term as senator, I will continue to pursue legislation that will enhance the growth and development of cooperatives,” the seasoned legislator said.
During the deliberation on the TRAIN Law, the veteran lawmaker opposed moves to tax the cooperatives, especially those that have a billion worth of assets and have a hundred thousand members.
The chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food also commended the cooperatives for being instrumental in improving the quality of life of its members and the development of communities.
“Cooperatives are instrumental in improving the quality of life.”
“Alam ko naman na ang miyembro ng kooperatiba ay galing sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan at estado ng pamumuhay. Karamihan ay mahihirap na kailangang-kailangan ng ating suporta tulad din ng mga market vendors at farmers,” the lady senator said.
She also shared her soft spot for market vendors having a grandmother who was a market vendor of ikmo and a mother-in-law who was a fish vendor in Divisoria.
Villar likewise asked the market vendors to avoid the 5-6 loan scheme and instead take advantage of the cheap credit being offered by the Land Bank and the Development Bank of the Philippines thru their cooperation.
“Market vendors should avoid the 5-6 loan scheme.”