UPLB ICOPED Interns Gain Firsthand Insights During LPMPC Tour

Los Baños, Laguna -- In line with its commitment to experiential learning, the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED), University of the Philippines Los Baños conducted a learning tour for selected interns at the Laguna Prime Multipurpose Cooperative (LPMPC) on June 24, 2025.

The tour aimed to expose interns to real-world cooperative operations and management practices, enriching their understanding of the roles, structures, and day-to-day functions of an established cooperative. It provided an opportunity to bridge classroom theories with hands-on experiences in the field.

Accompanying the interns were ICOPED University Researchers Mr. Paul Kenneth B. Maghirang and Mr. Emmanuel C. Flores. During the visit, LPMPC representatives shared valuable insights on their services, governance framework, and member engagement strategies. Interns also toured the cooperative’s facilities and had the opportunity to inquire about operational challenges and ongoing innovations.

The ICOPED interns also visited the new LPMPC building located along the National Hi-way in Brgy. Maahas, Los Baños, Laguna. This houses the KASAMBILI ("Kasamang Bilihan"), LPMPC’s consumer store which offers a range of essential goods including food items, non-food items, and frozen goods. The mini grocery store provides quality products at affordable prices, serving as a convenient and accessible option for  members of the cooperative. 

During the tour, the interns learned about LPMPC’s bulk-buying scheme, a method of facilitating the provision of fundamental necessities to its members by leveraging economies of scale. Pre- or volume discounts enable the purchase of products at a reduced cost in comparison to the current market price, while maintaining or exceeding the quality of the product. Also, the interns were able to witness firsthand how KASAMBILI supports both consumer-members and local suppliers.

KASAMBILI reflects LPMPC’s commitment to improving the daily lives of its members through providing livelihood opportunities to its members. Furthermore, this tour helped the interns understand better how cooperatives work not only as a business but also as important stakeholders in local development.

This activity forms part of ICOPED’s broader initiative to strengthen cooperative education and professional development among students. Through field engagements like these, interns gain a deeper appreciation of the cooperative sector’s role in local development and inclusive economic growth.

ARPGarcia & HLNRivero