The Cooperative Academy of NATCCO (CAN) – Knowledge Resource Center (KRC) has launched its program on VILT (Virtual Instructor-led Training) to help cooperatives develop well-trained Managers using the Whole-brain approach. The program consists of 10 modules, divided into two sessions of 3 hours of virtual classes. Registration fees are Php. 5,000 (per module) and Php. 45,000.00 (discounted when enrolling to 10 modules).

Enroll now and be a Certified Cooperative Manager! The panelists discussed the challenges faced by co-ops in adapting to the New Normal, such as liquidity, delinquency, loan collection, health and safety of staff, travel restriction, and risks of face-to-face transactions. Barbaza Multi-Purpose Cooperative has branches in Panay and Negros islands and has operated from the start of the quarantine in March 15, giving hazard pay to employees who face risk. St. Martin of Tours Credit and Development Cooperative's initial reaction was to close its branches to comply with social distancing, but by the second week of April, SMTCD gradually normalized operations. Patronage refund was given to members and surveys were conducted.

Tad Montayre shared the best practices of Fair Child Cebu Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FCCC MPC). The co-op has implemented the Government's mandate for loan payments moratorium and is giving members cash assistance from Php. 1,800.00. Members are encouraged to pay their loans if they can and not to take advantage of the moratorium. Montayre also encouraged members to reduce expenses and think of alternative income sources like growing vegetables at home.

In late March, FCCC MPC attended training on "Family Budget Item discussing essential types of business for family" with NATCCO's Diaspora Program. NATCCO & PBSP are members of the Caucus of Development NGO Networks and Paglaum Cooperative's primary concern is agricultural supply. Handumon and Naigan suggest co-ops should buy from the farmer and aggregate for wholesale and sell to members in Novaliches (Quezon City) and Paranaque City. Barbaza will provide another loan window and refinancing to avoid bank runs. BARBAZA MPC needs to outsource the product and review the workload of employees, automate operations and provide the same services to members, revise policies to simplify processes, Maximize the contact center for query, promote online payments and consider data privacy. VALDECO suggests online and inter-branch transactions between co-op offices and educating members on emergency savings. 

The NATCCO Consultancy Team & Knowledge Resource Center's free webinar on Access Branding was attended by 34 participants from different cooperatives nationwide last May 15. The main speaker was Dindo Meroy, ACCESS Brand Officer of NATCCO Network, who urged cooperatives to aim to achieve ACCESS standards. ACCESS stands for "A1 Competitive Choice for Excellence in Service and Soundness". Meroy stressed that ACCESS Branding aims to provide quality products and services to improve the lives of members and the community, and balances financial standards and social awareness. He also encouraged cooperatives to go for Gold! Access Branding helps co-ops differentiate themselves from other financial players and convey their message of financial freedom and values. It is about financial and qualitative discipline, with NATCCO's guidance over several years. Tagum Cooperative is the first and only co-op given the Gold ACCESS Award at the 2019 Forum of the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) in Kuala Lumpur, with Net institutional capital of 11% and over-provided TC of P106 Million, as well as 11% of PAR 1.