July 28, 1961 formally marked the beginning of SDCC after twenty-eight(28) founding members approved its Article of Cooperation and Bylaws. However, it was not until September 8, 1961 when the Cooperative Administration Office (CAO) approved SDCC’s registration as a Credit Cooperative, becoming the first community-type credit union in the country.
Hulyo 28, 1961It started in the hearts and minds of men and women who, even as students and young professionals, train their sights on things, community and their attention on social matters. They organized community activities and regularly held discussions on politics, religion and social issues. They formed groups or association to mobilize support and to work on a common objective. These activities gradually shaped a shared vision of a community that was able to meet their own needs and contribute to nation building.
Trust is a critical factor that SDCC had to earn in the beginning. There was much doubt then because the co-operative idea was new to the community. An organization that proposed to collect money among the people and promised to manage it for them sounded almost crazy as it was untested then. The pioneers of SDCC were reminded by some cynics that “no one who holds the clay pot is not dirtied by it” (Walang humawak ng palayok na ‘di naulingan). But they persisted, confident that the cooperative idea was the answer to what they were looking for.
It was the plight of the growing number of poor people in their neighborhood that turned the nightly discussions into a search for concrete solutions. The inspiration came during a camping trip of the Rover Scouts in the island of Corregidor in June 1961. The group was accompanied by Fr. Francisco Wittezaele, Assistant Parish Priest of St. Andrew’s Church, who became an ardent supporter, and Fr. Walter Hogan of the Institute of Social Order (ISO) who brought up the idea of forming a credit union. Fr. Hogan suggested that they invite a fellow Jesuit and director of ISO at that time, Fr. Gaston Duchesneau, because the latter has more knowledge about credit unions. It was the Rover Scouts’ strong belief in ‘love of God’ and ‘love of country’ that helped push the idea of forming a credit union.
After the seminars, they decided to form San Dionisio Credit Cooperative Union, Inc. (SDCCUI). Twenty-eight(28) pioneers composed of twentysix (26) Rover Scouts and two(2) women founded the cooperative on July 28, 1961 with an initial capital of P380.00. The co-operative first held office inside a billiard hall – a small table, actually owned by Ms. Adoracion L. Marquez, one of the founders. The first elected officers included Benedicto A. Allanigue, President; Jose T. Garcia, Vice- President; Ismael M. Allanigue, Secretary; and Herminio C. Hernandez, Treasurer. Members of the first elected Board of Directors were Felino V. de Leon, Sr., Dr. Arsenio G. Santiago, and Antonio C. Guerrero.
Right after the meeting in Corregidor, the group again met to firm up plans to organize a co-operative. Fr. Duchesneau was invited to enlighten them on credit unions. “Fr. Duke,” as he was fondly called, conducted the credit union pre-membership seminar at least four hours each night for nine consecutive Fridays. The mission was clear: They would mobilize people especially the poor to help themselves through the credit union. This was the answer to their long quest for economic and social advancement.
Fr. Wittezaele was most helpful in recruiting new members by “knocking on doors” to encourage people to attend the pre-membership seminar. He also encouraged wealthy families, the church, and the local school to put up their savings in the new credit union.
As of today, SDCC is registered at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) under the new coop code RA 9520.
2024This website uses cookies.