SCI MPC, Its Humble Beginning
Every great journey begins with a single step. Our story begins on February 25, 1981, when 39 dedicated employees of the Tanggapan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Provincial Planning and Development Staff came together with a shared vision.
They founded the SPDS Credit Cooperative, Inc., a beacon of mutual assistance aimed at uplifting their community. The name SPDS stands for Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Development Staff, reflecting the roots of our organization.
Organized under Presidential Decree No. 175, issued in 1973, the cooperative quickly gained recognition. Just a few weeks later, on March 9, 1981, it was authorized to operate as a Kilusang Bayan for Credit, marking a significant milestone in our journey.
By October 25, 1982, the cooperative expanded its reach, welcoming all provincial government employees of Surigao del Sur. It was formally registered with the Bureau of Agricultural Cooperative Development as the Government Employees of Surigao del Sur Credit Cooperative, Inc., or GESSUCCI, with a humble initial capital of just P2,419.
In 1983, GESSUCCI evolved into the Surigao del Sur Cooperative, Inc., a name that would soon become synonymous with community support and development.”
Amidst this growth, another organization, the Surigao del Sur Employees Association, known as SURGEA, operated a consumers’ cooperative. In 1984, SURGEA made a pivotal decision to merge with SCI, entrusting us with the management of their consumer store. This merger, authorized by BACOD in 1985, led to the formation of the SCI Development Coop, Inc., the precursor to what we proudly call SCI MPC, Inc. today.
From our humble beginnings to a vibrant cooperative, SCI MPC has grown through the spirit of cooperation and a commitment to serve our community.
Following its merger and rebranding, SCIMPC, our beloved cooperativebegan to flourish. A pivotal moment arrived when the provincial government granted a generous seed money of P70,000 to bolster operations.
This initial funding opened the doors to a series of financial assistance programs. SCI accessed resources from various government initiatives, including the Cooperative Development Fund of BACOD and the Tulongsa Tao Program from the Department of Trade and Industry.
We also participated in the Credit for the Poorest of the Poor Program and the NGO-Micro Credit Program, helping to uplift the most vulnerable members of our community. Additionally, we served as a conduit for the Fly-Now-Pay-Later program, supporting Overseas Contract Workers
In the early 90s, SCI was honored to partner with the Presidential Management Staff under President Corazon Aquino, assisting in the construction of school buildings in the first district of Surigao del Sur, a testament to our commitment to community development.”
However, the journey was not without its challenges. In the years that followed, up until the early 2000s, SCI faced a period of stagnation. Growth was flat as we struggled to meet the needs of our members.”
Slow releases and difficult collections led to an accumulation of past due accounts, impacting our financial health. Many members withdrew their capital, exacerbating our challenges.
In response, we recognized the urgent need to revitalize our services. In 1996, we sought assistance from the Land Bank of the Philippines, tapping into their livelihood financing programs. Unfortunately, sustaining this lending initiative proved difficult due to ongoing collection issues.”
In 2004, a significant transformation began as the provincial government launched a centralized payroll system. Recognizing an opportunity for growth, SCI formed a partnership with the provincial government to implement an automatic loan collection scheme for our members.”
This innovative system led to a remarkable turnaround. Collection rates soared, past due accounts gradually decreased, and loan releases began to rise steadily, restoring the cooperative’s financial health.”
With this positive momentum and the increasing demand for loans, SCI once again turned to the Land Bank of the Philippines for support. In May 2005, we secured an initial credit line of P5 million for livelihood projects.”
This vital funding transformed our operations. Financial indicators surged, with our capital build-
Understanding our members’ growing need for financing, SCI strengthened its operational policies, developed new lending windows, and actively pursued member education initiatives. This proactive approach paid off.”
In response to the rising demand, we applied for a P3 million increase in our credit line with LBP, which was ultimately increased to P15 million in 2007. This capital infusion propelled us forward, allowing SCI to build its core funds and increase member capital build-up.”
Thanks to our perceived efficiency and effectiveness, SCI MPC garnered increased attention and demand. In the same year, we proudly expanded our operations to include all employees of provincial-operated hospitals in Surigao del Sur and other national government agencies.
From challenges to triumphs, SCI has continuously evolved, driven by our commitment to serve our members better. Together, we are not just a cooperative; we are a thriving community, united in purpose and strength.”
As our membership rapidly expanded and operations flourished, SCI recognized the need to modernize. We took a significant step forward by applying for membership with MASS-SPECC, a federation of primary cooperatives, allowing us to access a sophisticated computerized accounting system and later in 2018, SCI MPC launched its first Pinoy ATM Machine in the province and with the cooperative as an ATM card issuing cooperative FOR Pinoy ATM Card. This initiative boosted the cooperative operation leading to an increase in membership.
This modernization streamlined our processes, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in our operations. In the same year, a generous donation from the provincial government further bolstered our growth.
The provincial government extended a portion of lot thru a Deed of Usufruct as approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members within the provincial capitol compound, where the SCI MPC building now proudly stands, symbolizing our commitment to our members and community.The building was realized and constructed through a P9 Million grant from the COOP NATCCO Partylist.
Today, SCI MPC boasts an impressive P300 million credit line with the Land Bank of the Philippines, solidifying our status as the leading and largest cooperative by assets in Surigao del Sur.
Our journey from humble beginnings to a powerhouse of community support exemplifies what can be achieved through unity, innovation, and dedication. We are proud to serve our members
Following the success of SCI MPC, it collaborated with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for year-round financial literacy programs for cooperative members and employees of the provincial capitol. SCIMPC also partnered with DEPED for the construction of two makeshift rooms in IP communities and supported the LahutayTungha Initiative of DEPED Surigao del Sur, which assists selected pupils of Libas Sud Integrated School.
Yet, through every challenge, our spirit remained unbroken. We learned, adapted, and continued to strive for better services for our members. Today, SCI MPC stands as a testament to resilience, community strength, and our unwavering commitment to uplift every member.
Together, we will continue to empower our community, forging ahead towards a brighter, more prosperous future for all.