Bulacan coop makes it in negosyo

MANILA, Philippines – St. Martin of Tours Credit and Development Cooperative started with 15 Church-based founders in November 1969.

Originally called St. Martin of Tours Credit Union, it was named after the patron saint of Bocaue, which was then a fourth-class agricultural town in the province of Bulacan. Following the Samahang Nayon principle of the martial law years, the credit union registered as St. Martin of Tours Kilusang Bayan sa Pagpapautang, Inc., with a membership of 500 borrowers.

Fifteen years since its founding, the cooperative grew to 3,000 members, and total assets of P18.5 million, including three office buildings.

Expanding its reach, membership was extended outside of Bocaue to four neighboring towns – Balagtas, Pandi, Sta. Maria and Marilao – serviced by the cooperative’s three branches. More branches were soon opened to bring the products and services closer to the people of Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, San Miguel (Bulacan) and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija province.

To date, the cooperative has more than 16,000 members in Central Luzon and is the biggest savings and credit cooperative in the region. Recently, it has also ventured into a non-allied business, a food franchise in Batangas City, with the cooperative’s expansion plan in Southern Luzon.

St. Martin of Tours has evolved through the years as an effective channel for socio-economic growth in the communities it serves. The cooperative, at the new millennium, formally registered as St. Martin of Tours Credit and Development Cooperative, a fitting name for an institution that renders multi-faceted financial products and social services.

Under the leadership of Dr. Antonio Fortuna, who served as chairman for 20 years and is now chairman emeritus, the cooperative took root, flourished and has not stopped growing.

To ensure that operations remain efficient, St. Martin’s cooperative set up a wide area network system. They have put into operation a system of automated teller machines where members can transact business anywhere in the Philippines and in the world, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The cooperative has also tied up with Visa International so that members can now have debit cards. The ATM/Visa innovation is a first in the history of Philippine cooperatives.

Glimpse of history

Baliuag University, one of the most celebrated universities in Bulacan, began as Baliuag Institute in 1925, a small high school with only 75 students.

Baliuag Institute closed down during the Japanese occupation in 1941. It reopened two years later and went on to offer Junior Normal and Liberal Arts in 1946.

In 1947, the government elevated the school’s status from Institute to Junior College. Developments like campus improvements, new course offerings, and yearly growth of student population followed. This paved the way for the inauguration of Baliuag Colleges in 1968.

In 2001, it was declared a university and granted full autonomy by the Commission on Higher Education.

Dr. Alicia Bustos, president of Baliuag University, is one with the institution in bringing quality education to its area of service.

Compared to other business endeavors, Alicia believes that an educational institution has to blend both its corporate and its academic cultures, to balance business objectives (enrollment growth, resource management) with educational objectives (academic quality, facilities and technology upgrade, student and faculty development).

“As school leaders, the educator’s concerns are anchored on more noble aims as opposed to pure profit orientation,” Alicia added.

The institution strictly follows the foundations laid by their founder, Domingo B. Santiago Sr. Dedication, support, commitment and loyalty are also observed by the university administration and personnel. Baliuag University is focused on employing and developing the right people for administration, teaching and non-teaching careers.

At present, Baliuag University is focusing on new program offerings that will cater to relevant present needs. They have also upgraded their technological resources, with a purchase of new state of the art flat screen computers. The university is also currently going through campus expansion, with facilities upgrade. Both national and international linkages are also being coordinated for student and faculty exchange opportunities.

For young and aspiring entrepreneurs, Alicia offers some tips when going into business: “Never quit. Follow your dream. Continue to work hard and be a professional. Do not forget to give back to the society. Be a disciplined and a dynamic worker. Practice spirituality in the workplace.”

Dr. Antonio Fortuna and Dr. Alicia Bustos will be given the Most Inspiring Bulakeño Entrepreneur Award tomorrow at the Go Negosyo sa Bulacan, the latest leg of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III, at the Centro Escolar University, Malolos City, Bulacan.