Can Tabuk become the Philippines’ Cooperative Capital with nearly ₱8B in assets?

FEATURE

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Growth is often measured in numbers, but in Tabuk City, it can also be seen in the collective strength of people who pool their resources, build shared enterprises, and turn cooperation into economic opportunity.

With nearly ₱8 billion in assets held by its cooperatives, Tabuk is emerging as the powerhouse of Kalinga’s cooperative movement, strengthening its bid for recognition as the “Cooperative City of the Philippines.”

Data presented by the Cooperative Development Authority-Cordillera Administrative Region (CDA-CAR) during the Credit Surety Fund Roadshow and Contributors’ Seminar on October 21 showed that Tabuk’s 139 registered cooperatives had combined assets of ₱7,975,256,076 as of September 2026.

The figure represents the largest share of cooperative assets in Kalinga, underscoring the scale of a movement that has grown steadily over the years.

From 127 registered cooperatives in 2022, Tabuk increased its count to 130 in 2023 and 134 in 2024 before reaching 139 in 2025. The number remained the same in September 2026, but the city’s substantial asset base reflects the financial capacity its cooperative sector has built.

Behind these figures are organizations that have demonstrated how collective savings, shared investments, and member participation can help build institutions capable of managing substantial resources.

Three Tabuk-based cooperatives have reached billionaire status in assets: the Tabuk Multipurpose Cooperative (TAMPCO), the Tabuk Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFAMULCO), and the Provincial Engineering Office Personnel Multipurpose Cooperative (PEOPMPC).

PEOPMPC reached the ₱1-billion asset mark in August 2025, becoming the third cooperative in Kalinga to achieve the milestone.

Their growth highlights the potential of cooperatives to expand beyond small community-based organizations and become major players in local economic activity.

From local movement to national recognition

Tabuk’s cooperative development has also drawn attention beyond the province.

In May 2026, Kalinga Governor James S. Edduba announced validation activities related to the possible recognition of Tabuk City as the “Cooperative City of the Philippines.”

The Cooperative Development Authority had earlier formed a technical working group in June 2025 to develop guidelines for recognizing cooperative cities, provinces, and municipalities. Tabuk City and Kalinga Province were specifically mentioned in the initiative.

The recognition, however, has yet to be finalized as the guidelines remain under development.

Still, Tabuk’s cooperative figures provide a compelling picture of the scale it has reached. Its nearly ₱8 billion in assets far exceeds the figures reported for other localities in Kalinga, with Tanudan recording ₱47.94 million and Rizal ₱19.02 million.

Across the province, the cooperative sector also continued to expand. The number of registered cooperatives rose from 206 in 2025 to 209 as of September 2026, while their combined assets increased from ₱7.59 billion to ₱8.04 billion.

Tabuk accounts for the overwhelming majority of these assets, placing the city at the center of Kalinga’s cooperative economy.

Growth beyond the numbers

Yet the significance of cooperative growth goes beyond the value of assets recorded in financial statements. Cooperatives are built around members who contribute resources and share in the benefits, making their development closely tied to the economic participation of the communities they serve.

A growing cooperative sector can provide members with opportunities to save, access financial services, support livelihoods, and invest in businesses. Its long-term value, however, also depends on sound management, responsible lending, transparency, and the ability to sustain benefits for members.

For Tabuk, the challenge is to ensure that its growing financial strength continues to translate into meaningful opportunities for ordinary residents, farmers, workers, and small entrepreneurs.

The city’s 139 cooperatives and nearly ₱8 billion in assets have established a strong foundation. Whether this will lead to formal recognition as the country’s Cooperative City remains to be seen.

But the figures already point to a clear story: in Tabuk, cooperation has grown into a significant economic force, one that may help shape the city’s future and strengthen its role in Kalinga’s development.