1893

Dr. Jose Rizal is exiled by the Spanish Colonial Government to Dapitan.  There, he establishes a cooperative composed of abaca farmers.  It is believed that he learned about cooperativism while in Europe.

1908

American Philanthropist Edward Filene visited the Philippines and observed the poverty was prevalent.  He wrote in 1909 that "co-operative credit societies should be established in the Philippines to get rid of usurers and landlords who have kept the masses in continual debt slavery."

1910

Bulacan Representative to the Philippine Assembly Teodoro Sandico observed that in Germany, cooperatives were making headway in the agriculture industry. He wrote the first bill on cooperatives but was rejected.

1915

The first co-op law, Act 2508 Regulating the Creation and Operation of Rural Agricultural Cooperative Associations was passed into law by the Philippine Assembly.

The law was active until the late 50’s, but co-ops did not succeed because they were just government initiatives.

1945

Right after the War, the Government enacted Commonwealth Act 713 to organize cooperative organizations by creating the National Cooperatives Administration that supervises, promotes and provides funding to cooperative start-ups.

But again, with too much Government help and interventions, co-ops did not flourish.

1952

In August 1952, Republic Act 821 to establish the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing System to assist farmers in securing credit and helping them organize cooperative associations and help them market their products more efficiently.  

The Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration is created to implement the system.

1957

President Carlos Garcia gives recognition to non-agricultural cooperatives.  Republic Act 2023 creates the Cooperatives Admnistration  Office under the Dept. of Commerce and Industry. 

1960 - 1970

Co-op sector leaders are aware that in order to succeed they could not rely on government alone. Instead, co-ops had to be driven and patronized by their members and it is only through co-op education that this level of member patronage and responsibility could be established.

A number of primary cooperatives form regional co-op training centers (primary cooperatives).

1969

President Ferdinand Marcos boosts rural electrification with the enactment of Republic Act 6038 or the National Electrification Administration.

1972

Unable to run for a third term in 1973, President Marcos declares Martial Law, abolishes Congress, and drafts a new Constitution. Marcos issues Presidential Decree 175 in April 1973, “Strengthening the Cooperative Movement,” that required farmers to be organized into village associations called “Samahang Nayon”. Furthermore, all types of existing cooperatives were required to re-register and conform to the Samahang Nayon structure. The move created tension between the government – specifically the Martial Law regime – and the cooperative sector. Nevertheless, the co-op leaders complied with the Martial Law imposition. Despite that, some cooperators were suspected of being the “third rebel group” and were jailed under the Marcos Regime. The various “rebel groups” were the political opposition, the Communists, Socialists and Muslim rebels.

1975

As community-based organizations, cooperatives were suspected of being Communist fronts, and the Martial Law Regime required co-ops to submit to the rules set that co-ops could no longer receive foreign funding.

Cagayan de Oro-based co-op leader and Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions founder, Atty. Mordino Cua, obstinately refused to abandon the recognized basic democratic principles of cooperatives.  Together with two of his staff, he is arrested in November 1975 by the Martial Law Regime and detained in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

1977

January 23, 1977 amidst suspicions and harassment, the leaders of the five regional training centers met in Cebu City and formed NATCCO, then known as the National Association of Training Centers for Co-operatives, to coordinate and standardize the trainings and educational services for cooperatives at the national level. NATCCO also served as the voice of co-ops in the country. The five training centers were Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies-Southern Philippines Education Center for Cooperatives (MASS-SPECC), Visayas Cooperative Training Center (VICTO), Bicol Cooperative Training Center (BCTC), Tagalog Cooperative Training Center (TAGCOTEC), and North Luzon Cooperative Development Center (NORLUCEDEC).

1979

On April 1, 1979, the NATCCO joins the International Cooperative Alliance.

1986

President Marcos is ousted after 21 years in power.  Taking over the government is President Corazon Aquino.

1987 

The 1987 Philippine Constitution becomes law.  It recognizes cooperatives as engines of economic development and people empowerment.

The Constitution mandates Government to “promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of social justice and economic development."

1989

On April 1, 1989, to meet the growing needs of co-ops, the NATCCO is transformed into a multi-service national co-op federation while the regional training centers became multi-service co-op development centers. The acronym NATCCO was retained and its meaning converted to the present “National Confederation of Cooperatives.”

1997

Cooperative leaders meet in Caoayan, Isabela and form the COOP-NATCCO Partylist

1998

COOP-NATCCO Partylist runs in the 1998 elections, and obtains a seat in Congress. The Partylist has occupied at least one seat since, and continues to safeguard the interests of cooperatives.

2002

After Strategic Planning by the leaders in 2000, the 2002 General Assembly resolved to conduct a study to restructure the Network from a three-tier into a two-tier organization.

NATCCO creates the Central Fund that would provide financial services to member-cooperatives.

2004

The 2004 General Assembly approved amendments in the by-laws to shift from a three-tier organization or confederation, into a two-tier federation, with primary co-ops as direct members. Its core enterprise would be financial intermediation and non-financial services would become subsidiaries. Some federations that had formed, or joined, NATCCO, would leave in 2007. But NATCCO’s "Transformation Journey" continued.

2006

Products and services offered also grew, with the NATCCO Network offering financial services to members, enterprises, information technology, and a diverse curricula of training & consultancy offered to members to improve their operations and sustainability.

Microfinance Innovations in Cooperatives (MICOOP) is established. NATCCO has so far established 119 branches all over the Philippine countryside. The program imparts a culture of excellence amongst cooperatives and brings co-ops – and much needed financial services -- to more than 100,000 Filipinos in the countryside.

2007

Aflatoun Program was launched in 2007, aimed at teaching youth on investment, children’s rights, and financial literacy in the cooperative set-up.

2008

Growth is exponential, with the NATCCO assets reaching the P1B milestone.

NATCCO establishes the Mutual Benefit Association Inc. to provide insurance.

NATCCO launches the Stabilization Fund, patterned after the Korean, Canadian and German models, the system provides inspection, supervision, diagnosis and financial assistance to prevent co-op insolvency.

To ensure Quality, build trust, and ensure that cooperatives reach world standards, the NATCCO Network obtains three ISO Certifications: Quality Management, Environment, Health and Safety, and Occupational Health & Safety.

2009

NATCCO launches Pinoy Coop ATM to provide 24/7 banking convenience.

2014

The NATCCO partnered with co-ops as conduits for the implementation of the Government’s flagship anti-poverty program, Conditional Cash Transfer. It has been implemented with about 100 co-ops in the National Capital Region, Regions 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 7, and 8. From 2014 to 2016, P 16.9 Billion has been released to CCT beneficiaries in 596 Municipalities. The number of Beneficiaries served peaks to 776,000 in 2015.

2015

NATCCO and Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives (PFCCO) hold a joint assembly in Davao City.

The federations partner to implement the KAYA Payment Platform that enables co-op members to transact online using their cellphone.

2017

By April, 125 co-ops are participating in the Aflatoun Program, reaching 214,436 kids in 848 schools, generating savings amounting to P108.58 Million.

2020

The Corona Virus Pandemic hits the globe.

Online courses enable NATCCO Training and Education Programs to reach more co-operators all over the Philippines

The NATCCO Network is committed to help co-ops in achieving the ICA’s 2020 Vision as well as the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

NATCCO launches the "Green Co-op Program"

2021

Launch of Coop Sector Development Plan 2030 – a long-term roadmap for cooperative integration and sustainability.

Successful National Cooperative Youth Congress (2021) – empowering youth leaders in a VUCA world.
Acceleration of digital initiatives through KAYA Payment Platform and eKoopBanker Plus.

2022

28,000+ new KAYA accounts, 25,000+ new ATM cards, 80 ATMs installed.

Expanded IT services: eKoopBanker portals, text blast systems, CISA compliance.

Growth of Stabilization Fund, new member co-ops, digitalization roadmap.

Target ₱6.4 B in KAYA transactions;

NATCCO Treasury & Credit releases ₱1.25 B in loans.

NATCCO retains ISO certifications for the 15th straight year.

2023

Advocacy for digital literacy among co-op leaders to complement financial literacy.

2024

General Assembly (May 4, 2024) highlighted:

Integration efforts: revival of Regional Coordinating Teams (RCTs).

Launch of the Cooperative Academy of NATCCO Network (CANN).

Stronger IT systems: cloud-based member dockets, databank rollout, core banking migration.

Creation of Cybersecurity & Compliance units.

First RCT online convention (Feb. 24, 2024) strengthens grassroots governance.

2025

Global Coops Day (July 5, 2025): NATCCO joins worldwide celebrations.

Launch of “Boses ng Kooperatiba: Malakas!” – a new podcast giving voice to co-op leaders.