ICOPED made it possible to commemorate and celebrate its 61st Founding Anniversary despite the threat of the pandemic

Last October 22, 2021, the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED) of the College of Economics and Management (CEM) of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) celebrated its 61st Founding Anniversary with the theme “Through the Years: ICOPED in the Service of the Cooperatives” via Zoom Cloud Meeting. The event was hosted by Asst. Prof. Ma. Theresa M. Castro-Bernardo and Mr. Paul Kenneth B. Maghirang of ICOPED.
 
To formally start the event, the Dean of CEM, Dr. Agham C. Cuevas, and the UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr.,gave their welcome remarks and inspirational message, respectively. Dean Cuevas commended the Institute for its significant contribution to the cooperative movement in the Philippines over the years through its innovative extension programs and activities. Furthermore, Chancellor Camacho congratulated the Institute for its dedication to the promotion and development of cooperatives in support of the University’s mandate to serve the nation through compassion, collaboration, consolidation, and cooperation.
 
ICOPED celebrated its 61st Founding Anniversary through its series of activities. ICOPED recognized the late ICOPED’s first Director, Dr. Nathaniel B. Tablante. Part of which was tracing the roots of the Institute from being the former Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Institute (ACCI) and reminiscing its memories towards its journey to become the ICOPED.
 
A tribute was given to the late Dr. Nathaniel B. Tablante as one of ACCI’s pillars and the cooperative movement in the Philippines. The family of the late Director Tablante particularly his three children, Dr. Jose L. Tablante, Dr. Nathaniel L. Tablante, Jr., and Ms. Esther T. Sherman, attended the event. A video presentation about Dr. Tablante, which ICOPED prepared, was shown during the tribute. To know more about Dr. Tablante, his son, Dr. Jose L. Tablante and his brother and sister, shared their father's life story and accomplishments as a family man and as a government servant. They also expressed their sincere gratitude to ICOPED in recognizing their late father’s achievements and successes. It was followed by the virtual turnover of Dr. Tablante’s portrait. A response from the current ICOPED Director, Asst. Prof. Liezel S. Cruz was also delivered and gave a certificate of recognition to the late Dr. Tablante. 
 
The tribute was followed by a video presentation of ICOPED's history and testimonials from ICOPED's alumni, current students, colleagues, and former Directors. The last part of the program was the reminiscence from the ICOPED former Directors including Dr. Eulogio T. Castillo, Dr. Isabelita M. Pabuayon, Dr. Zenaida M. Sumalde, Dr. Salvador P. Catelo, Dr. Arnold M. Naldoza; former REPS and administrative staff, Ms. Anselma C. Manila, Ms. Arminga B. Peria, and Rosalinda V. Manese shared their experiences and memories in serving ICOPED, lessons learned from their service and tips to the current ICOPED staff. 
 
The event concluded with the closing remarks from Director Liezel S. Cruz. She expressed her sincere gratitude to the family of the late Dr. Tablante and ICOPED former Directors, REPS and administrative staff who attended the event. She affirmed that the current ICOPED staff are dedicated, passionate, and committed to serving and fulfilling the Institute's vision for cooperative and enterprise development. PKBMaghirang
 
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