MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – Twenty (20) delegates from eleven (11) cooperatives in the Philippines participated in the Cohort 5 of the Global Cooperative Executive Masterclass 2025 in Manchester, United Kingdom. The program took place from January 10-21, 2025.
This flagship program is a collaboration between the Co-operative College in the United Kingdom and the Co-operative College of the Philippines.
Among the delegates of Tagum Cooperative is its own Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Dir. Gertrudes L. Yap, and Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Sherwin Gabriel C. Petalino.
Cohort 5 also had a session with the Co-operative Party and the Heart of England Co-operative Society at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, where they discussed the role of cooperatives in politics and consumer welfare.
Mr. Petalino highlighted the masterclass as an eye-opening experience, bringing together cooperative leaders and experts from various sectors. They were deeply immersed in discussions on values-based leadership, ethical decision-making, and member engagement which reinforced the idea that cooperative leadership is not just about managing organizations but also fostering trust, transparency, and empowerment.
“The exchange of ideas and best practices broadened my perspective and equipped me with valuable insights to strengthen the cooperative movement. I am deeply grateful to the Co-operative Colleges of the Philippines, NAFECOOP, CLIMBS, and Tagum Cooperative for making this opportunity possible. This journey reaffirmed my commitment to cooperative leadership and reminded me that strong, values-driven leadership is key to building resilient and impactful cooperatives worldwide.”, quoted Mr. Petalino as the program came to an end.
As the program came to an end, the delegates spent an entire day at the University of Manchester to attend workshops and learning sessions and highlight their insights throughout the week-long program.
The program concluded with the Graduation Day of Cohort 5. All hearts filled with gratitude and minds enriched with ideas to strengthen cooperatives for the future. Yna Gracelle J. Amores