Let us welcome Mr. Jovencio I. Rubilla Jr., the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tagum Cooperative, effective April 1, 2025. Fondly known as “Joven” by his colleagues, Mr. Rubilla is ready to lead the cooperative to new heights.
Mr. Rubilla is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Mindanao in 2004. He has completed the academic requirements for a Master’s in Business Administration and is currently working on his thesis. Mr. Rubilla is also a scholarship grantee under the City Educational Scholarship Program (CESPRO) of the Local Government Unit of Tagum. He resides in Brgy. Datu Abdul Dadia, Panabo City.
In 2006, Mr. Rubilla joined Tagum Cooperative. Initially applying for the position of Bookkeeper at the TC Nabunturan Branch, he was met with the position being filled. Nevertheless, his perseverance led him to apply for a different role that better suited his qualifications, and he began learning the basics of cooperative operations.
In June 2006, Mr. Rubilla was hired as a Clerk in the Collections and Asset Recovery and Legal Section, a role he held for over 2 years. He then transitioned to the position of Bookkeeper at the TC Main Office, Matina Branch, and Panabo Branch, where he served until 2011. His next role was as an Accountant at the TC Main Office.
In July 2012, he was promoted to Savings and Credit Group (SCG) Accountant at the Head Office, a position he held for over a year. Following this, Mr. Rubilla moved to the government sector in 2013 as a way of fulfilling his service commitment as a government scholar. He worked as a State Auditor for the Commission on Audit (COA), Region XI.
In April 2017, Tagum Cooperative recognized his growth and offered him the opportunity to serve as a Branch Manager. He successfully led 3 high-performing branches—Carmen, Sto. Tomas, and the Public Market TC Branches until 2020. The following year, he was promoted to SCG Area 1 Manager. In 2022, he took on the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), where he oversaw key departments such as Human Resource Management, General Services, Technical Services, and Safety and Security.
Mr. Rubilla’s drive to learn, grow, and gain experience at every stage of his career has shaped his leadership approach. As the new CEO, he is committed to continuing Tagum Cooperative’s legacy of excellence and taking it to new levels of success and service for its members.
A key lesson Mr. Rubilla has learned throughout his career journey is the importance of competitiveness and relevance. He believes that mastering the basics creates a strong foundation and builds confidence for future success. He has also learned from the experiences of his predecessors, valuing their knowledge and careful decision-making. As the CEO of a financial institution like Tagum Cooperative, he is vigilant, studying potential risks, and addressing issues promptly to ensure the cooperative’s success.
Looking ahead, Mr. Rubilla envisions a bright future for Tagum Cooperative. He sees expansion into underserved communities, particularly in the Visayas region, and is excited about the potential to serve more clients. The goal is to be a game-changer in the cooperative sector and diversify revenue sources, while always providing the best service.
For Mr. Rubilla, creating strong relationships with members and the community is essential. He is encouraging to continuing education and providing services that meet the evolving needs of the members. He encourages members to become more active in the cooperative and participate in trainings and meetings, as these promote growth and empowerment.
Mr. Rubilla is excited about the many opportunities Tagum Cooperative has to make a meaningful impact on the community. He looks forward to larger projects, such as the “Build a Classroom Project,” as well as green initiatives like the development of the La Fortuna Lot into an Agri-Tourism Hub. This project will not only serve as an environmental technology sanctuary but will also offer a space for innovation and sustainability.
Mr. Rubilla’s experiences have shaped him into the leader he is today. He is confident in his ability to manage Tagum Cooperative and is committed to contributing his knowledge and skills to further its success. He believes in giving his best and staying relevant in the cooperative sector. He recognizes the efforts and sacrifices made by the officers, employees, and members of Tagum Cooperative to get to where they are today, and as CEO, he will strive to continue this legacy.
“Accepting the role of CEO is both an honor and a sacred responsibility. To uphold this duty, I remain committed to the cooperative principles and, above all, to listening to our members—for the heart of Tagum Cooperative beats with their voices.” quoted Mr. Jovencio during his interview. Leslie S. Canuto