Local cooperatives will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to replant trees and rehabilitate the city’s water sources.

Luzminda Eblamo, City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) officer-in-charge, said Monday the MOA signing on Oct. 29 coincides with the observance of the National Cooperative Month.

“The essence is to make sure that we have inclusive growth. This means that not only should the cooperative grow, but all their members at the same time,” Eblamo said.

Under the MOA, cooperatives under the CCDO pledge to become “adopters” under of DCWD’s “Adopt-a-Site” program, and make an annual donation of at least PHP6,000 for every hectare of land that will be rehabilitated to help conserve the city’s watershed areas.

Meanwhile, Eblamo said several cooperatives consisting of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have signed up for the Cooperative Trade Fair and Exhibit, which will showcase their “locally-sourced products to a ready market.”

The fair, organized in coordination with the Mindanao Trade Exposition, will be held at the Abreeza Mall from Oct. 18 to 22.

On Oct. 20, Eblamo said the CCDO will also conduct a “Cooperative Leaders Conversation” where participating agencies will answer questions from cooperative members concerning cooperative permits, tax exemptions, packages, licensing, and regulatory requirements. (PNA)