The SJMPC Journey
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San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SJMPC) is an open type Cooperative which offers financial and social services to its members and to the community where it operates.
Father Antony Oomen, then Parish Priest of San Jose Parish (Cathedral), gathered twenty-eight people for the purpose of forming a Cooperative on 23 February 1964. Fifteen of them were members of the Knights of the Columbus, with the assistance of two representatives from Cooperative Administration Office (CAO). On 22 September 1964, of the same year, San Jose Credit Union was born and was formally registered. Its temporary home was at the basement of the San Jose Parish Convento. At the end of 1964, the Credit Union had 151 members, total assets of P4,392.47, and total share capital of P4, 288.00. Retired Judge Ciriaco Q. Nietes and Ms. Epifania S. Ballescas, a retired teacher were the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Treasurer, respectively.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose de Antique, under the leadership of Bishop Cornelio De Wit conducted a province wide campaign and soon there were coops in every parish.
On 5 May 1975, the San Jose Credit Union was re-registered with the Bureau of Cooperatives Development under a new name, the San Jose Credit Cooperative, Inc. (SJCCI). Chairperson of the Board was Mr. Jovito L. Encarnacion. The old bowling alley near the San Jose Parish Convento was converted into an office building which the Cooperative occupied for 19 years.
Business continued as usual until 1995 when SJCCI was renamed and registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SJMPC). That time the Cooperative opened its multi-purpose program for its growing members.
After a year at the DILG building, the Cooperative found another home at the Municipal Building where it operated its business for 10 years. Here, the Cooperative Consumer’s Market was established but failed. The reason that the officers phased out the project.
In 2000, SJMPC envisioned to extend its help to the youth, thus Coop Bulig Eskwela Scholars was initiated. This program provides financial assistance to qualified children or ward of deserving members of cooperative in good standing. This program started with 7 beneficiaries.
