Three Decades of God's Unfailing Grace

Many from North Luzon know of Tam-an Banaue Multipurpose Cooperative as a multi-billionaire cooperative in Region 2. What they may not know, however, is the difficult path Tam-an BMPC took in order to get to its place now and the man whose stubborn resilience made it happen.

It was Mr. Jose D. Tomas, Sr. who organized and founded the Tam-an Hog Raisers’ Association in 1989, with the aim to request for help from the Department of Agriculture for the vaccination of the hogs after a disease plagued the village of Tam-an in Banaue, Ifugao. It was the precursor of the now-known Tam-an Banaue Multipurpose Cooperative. He had been the General Manager/CEO since its inception until 2019 when he won as the Vice Governor of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya until the end of his term in 2022.

After witnessing the positive effect of being united as an organization, the group eventually established the Tam-an Multipurpose Cooperative on May 9, 1991 with 25 members and P25,000 in assets, with its main office located in Tam-an, Banaue, Ifugao. Since 1999 up to date, the cooperative continuously opened branches and businesses in the Provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, Aurora, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Benguet, Cagayan and La Union.

Mr. Tomas said that he was then inspired by the then head of the Philippine Red Cross, Senator Richard Gordon whose idea of volunteerism stirred volunteers to clean up the ashes left by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and which action eventually encouraged investors.

“It was the same. We branched out through volunteerism. However, the board then said, ‘How will you expand? First of all, we don’t have capital. Second, we don’t have resources to give as salary to the employees.’ But I told them I believe we can do it. ‘Just prepare a resolution to authorize me to branch out. Let’s not talk about money. You just give an authority to me so I could move.”

Then a bell boy and a waiter at the Banaue Hotel, Mr. Tomas used the tips he received to travel to Maddela, Quirino Province where the first branch opened. There, he organized a group of 18 volunteers who initially agreed to work for three working days without pay and two working days with pay.

Despite a six-month time table, the group in Maddela, Quirino was able to meet their P300,000 savings and share capital quota in just one week. However, like any other organization, TMPC was not without predicaments. The cooperative also experienced going through ups and downs.

After being almost on the brink of bankruptcy due to non-payment of loans of some members, coupled by the economic crisis in the years 2007 and 2008, no bank was willing to lend TMPC money. Through the help of National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) which lent the cooperative funds for the rehabilitation program, TMPC was able to rise from this dilemma. Half of the loan the then general manager Tomas obtained was used to fund the rigid trainings and seminars of employees while the other half was used to sustain the business operation of the coop.

This unpleasant incident helped the cooperative innovate and revise its method of giving loans as TMPC learned to be creative and innovative by adapting the capacity-based lending and cash flow basis, including the cultivation of the 5Cs of credit.

Not only that, the cooperative also succeeded in the industry and is now engaged in the management of multiple successful businesses such as the Tam-an Mt. Resort and Hotel (formerly Banaue Resort), equipped with its own café and restaurant and a world-class Olympic pool (the first in Region 2 after technical support was provided by the Philippine Sports Commission to cater on student athletes from different regions through a very minimal fee); eight (8) gasoline stations; a technical and vocational school; an eco-tourism farm; five (5) agricultural supply outlets; a construction supply business; and events place and hotel; multiple commercial stalls and buildings, along with 62 branches in four regions as of December 2023 and still expanding nationwide.

Furthermore, the advocacy of Tam-an BMPC on the importance savings has made an impact in the lives of its members especially in terms of acquiring loans. In fact, one of the accomplishments the cooperative takes pride in is that it was able to “save” those who often rely on loan sharks for loans/credit. The cooperative is able to grant financial assistance to entrepreneurs who are intimidated to go to the banks as they are comfortable and contented in the fast and efficient service of the cooperative. Even members can simply approach employees when they need operating capital for business expansion. Loans and savings deposit rates are also competitive.

Moreover, the cooperative’s officers, employees and account officers who go from door to door to collect the savings deposits and share capital of members whose credibility and integrity is undeniable aims to introduce the importance and habit of savings and being a member of a cooperative. Savings as a way of life is always integrated during pre-membership seminars (PMES) as it is important in building wealth and as a tool in securing the future finances of its members.

This humble cooperative from the mountains of Banaue has not only increased its membership from 25 to more than 200,000 but also made possible the attainment of numerous people’ dreams, not only of hog raisers but also those of farmers, small-medium entrepreneurs, widows, tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers, students, and literally people from all walks of life—people like the cooperative’s former CEO who, despite the many failures and difficulties of this life, would give their all and their best to rise above whatever difficulties that come their way.

Tam-an BMPC strongly lives by its CORE VALUES: T-trustworthy, A-accountability, M-morally upright, A-accessibility, N-nobility in service, B-benevolence, M-maker of dreams, P-pillar of progress, and C-commitment to uplift lives.

Its MISSION does not end with being able to provide financial services to entrepreneurial poor to improve their quality of life. Known for its tagline “Let’s Build a Better Future Together” for its ambition that includes the members and the community, the cooperative also manifests the same in its brand of helping one another without regard to borders, ethnicity, or differences in beliefs, even no matter how insurmountable or great the problems seem.

To the members, the cooperative offers different benefits and services they may avail such as financial assistance thru its 13 Quick Loans set at competitive rates, high interest on deposits and share capital, Damayan benefit, Accident Death Benefit, Accident Hospitalization Benefit, Lifetime Hospitalization benefit, scholarship at the technical-vocation school (Tam-an Agritech Tourism and Training Center), outright discounts in the different businesses, the Blood Samaritan Program, emergency medical services/ambulance, medical check-ups and other social and community services.

In addition, Tam-an BMPC has stepped a notch further when it introduced in 2018 the Emergency Response Unit in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross whose members are equipped with the best knowledge and training to provide immediate response to life-threatening and emergency situations. The ERU has since been serving the members and the community, responding not only to road accidents and traumas, but also to huge calamities and disasters where the need for a huge workforce from different sectors is apparent.

As the coop grows bigger, it has set as its GOAL to make every member a millionaire one at a time by enriching their lives and helping them attain their own dreams. It also aims to create more employment as it continues to expand its business operations in order to serve more members and to contribute in the country’s economic development.

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