Press Release

CONSULATE GENERAL CONDUCTS A HYBRID SEMINAR ON PHILIPPINE COOPERATIVES

CHICAGO 28 April 2025– The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago hosted a hybrid seminar on Philippine cooperatives on 25 April 2025 at the Consulate’s Kalayaan Hall (also livestreamed via Zoom). With the title “Cooperative Awareness and Financial Literacy,” the event was attended by some 25 Filipino Community members, many of whom are Filipino teachers under the US Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) or the J-1 Program.

Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano and Cooperative Development Authority Deputy Administrator Atty. Leah B. Banagui-Han posing with the attendees (Chicago PCG photo)

The seminar’s resource person was Atty. Leah B. Banagui-Han, Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Service of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), which is the lead government agency that promotes sustained growth and full development of cooperatives in the Philippines. She discussed a backgrounder on building cooperatives and the long-term benefits of membership.

Consul General Melanie Rita B. Diano welcoming the participants (Chicago PCG photo)

Atty. Leah B. Banagui-Han discussing the benefits of cooperative membership (Chicago PCG photo)

The attendees’ questions, during the open forum, revolved around the advantages of cooperatives over private businesses. To further encourage the attendees, Atty. Banagui-Han shared success stories of cooperatives, which started modestly and have become instrumental in uplifting the lives of its members. END

Atty. Leah B. Banagui-Han listening to an attendee (Chicago PCG photo)

An attendee stressing a point during the open forum (Chicago PCG photo)