With 44 members and ₱35,750 capital, it was registered in 1997 and began as a Credit and Consumer Cooperative Buklod-Unlad Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BUKLOD) was organized on the 15th of June 1991, the time Mt. Pinatubo erupted. The humble beginning was pioneered by Malaluan clan of Barangay Dagatan, Taysan, Batangas during a family reunion. The theme was “Organize a Cooperative” which will be ben
eficial not only to the family but also to all residents of Dagatan; to better off their lives, alleviate poverty, promote family well-being and maintain harmony living in the community. Forty-four (44) members started with a total capital of Php 35,750.00. Under the leadership of the Late Florencio G. Malaluan who serve as the Founding Chairman of the Board of Directors. It was opened to the public and registered at Cooperative Development Authority on August 20, 1997 as a Credit & Consumer Cooperative. The first operation was initiated at Malaluan’s residence until 2001, when the cooperative acquired property to build office building. Lending operation was the first business of the cooperative. The very first Board of Directors didn’t receive any compensation in the beginning of its operation. They offered themselves, their time, their knowledge and effort to achieve Buklod’s mission. Fair compensation started when the Cooperative already generating profit. Buklod-Unlad celebrates its General Assembly every last Sunday of March, wherein there is a P500.00 fine for not attending the event except for valid reasons promulgated by the Board of Directors. In this practice, it started culture of discipline and eventually commitment to participate in all cooperative affairs. The cooperative has grown its resources since it was organized, generating Php104 M gross revenues as of 2010, and Php 19.3 M consolidated income for 5 years. Presently, the cooperative has more than 1,300 combined Regular and Associate members with a total paid-up capital of over Php 31.2 million, and widen its operation throughout the province of Region IV – A & B. In the beginning, the cooperative has one employee an all-around cashier, and today it has thirty employees and personnel. In 2007, Buklod ventured its operation into piggery projects in response to requests of members and later the establishment of 40 sow breeding farm which is expandable to 100 sows level. In 2003, the Coop started “Paiwi” Pig Finishing projects with 30 piglets to start with. In 2008, after facing challenges in the operation, in learning the trade, it had “Alagaan Pangkabuhayan” an Integrated Pig Production Program with cassava & Corn production compliments. This total approach will employ from “Construction to Consumption” concept of pig production. The program aims to produce 40,000 finishers (100-120 kgs. per year, involving not less than 1,200 member-partners in full operation, generating a sustainable income generation livelihood and employments in the area. In 2010, the cooperative opened Feedmill plant to produce own feeds named as Buklod Feeds. Third quarter of 2011, the cooperative launched the new face of Alagaan Pangkabuhayan the “Contract Production,” a multi-site pig production through Contract Breeding, Contract Nursery and Contract Finishing.
