A bold step Towards Inclusive Growth: Municipality of San Mariano – Province of Isabela’s Back-to-Back Benchmarking Tour at Coop Bank and Cebu CFI Coop News & Articles

CFI COOP Karon | October 24, 2025

On October 24, 2025, the Municipality of San Mariano, led by 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒏𝒂 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑺. 𝑮𝒐, embarked on a groundbreaking journey to elevate local cooperative development.

The day featured back-to-back benchmarking activities that highlighted the immense power of collaboration, innovation, and community-driven progress.

The day kicked off with an insightful visit to Coop Bank, where officials dove deep into sustainable financial practices and cooperative banking models, gaining valuable insights into how cooperatives can drive community development.

From there, the delegation traveled to the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative, where they were introduced to cutting-edge systems in cooperative governance, digital transformation, and member engagement.

The cooperative’s innovative approach is a game-changer for empowering local communities and driving financial inclusivity.

Accompanying 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒓 𝑮𝒐 were key officials from Municipality of San Mariano -Province of Isabela, including 𝑴𝒔. 𝑨𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒂 𝑮𝒖𝒛𝒎𝒂𝒏 (Municipal Accessor), 𝑴𝒓. 𝑵ó𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒖𝒛 (Municipal Treasurer), 𝑴𝒓. 𝑳𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑰𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒆 (BPLO), 𝑴𝒔. 𝑮𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑷𝒖𝒂 (Municipal Accountant), 𝑴𝒓. 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒃𝒂 (MDRRMO), 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒓. 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒏 (MENRO).

They were warmly welcomed by 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚, Chairman of the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative, together with 𝐄𝐕𝐏/𝐂𝐎𝐎 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚, 𝐂𝐏𝐀, and the cooperative’s Vice Presidents and Managers.

A truly symbolic moment came when Mayor Go and the San Mariano officials officially became members of the Cebu CFI Cooperative, underscoring their commitment to the cooperative movement as a powerful tool for inclusive growth and financial empowerment.

This pivotal step is a strong move toward greater collaboration, improved financial access, and a more equitable future for the people of Isabela.

This visit was more than just a learning opportunity—it was about forging new relationships, expanding partnerships, and empowering local communities.

With a renewed dedication to cooperative values, the Municipality of San Mariano delegation is now equipped with invaluable insights to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem in their region.

These back-to-back benchmarking visits mark a significant step in the ongoing effort to empower communities, ensure financial stability, and pave the way for a sustainable future for all.