A total of 1,753 registered cooperatives in the Caraga region generated more than PHP12.6 billion in business volume in 2023, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) 13 (Caraga) reported Tuesday.

During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum here, CDA-13 Assistant Director Anecita Unson said most of the registered cooperatives in the region, or 68 percent, are classified as micro cooperatives.

Small cooperatives make up 19 percent, medium cooperatives 11 percent, and large cooperatives 2 percent.

“Micro cooperatives have assets not exceeding PHP3 million, small cooperatives have over PHP3 million to PHP15 million, medium cooperatives have over PHP15 million to PHP100 million, and large cooperatives have assets exceeding PHP100 million,” Unson said.

The region also boasts of three billionaire cooperatives, all categorized as large: the Baug CARP Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; the PERA Multipurpose Cooperative; and the San Francisco Growth Enhancement Multipurpose Cooperative, both based in Agusan del Sur.

“Most of our cooperatives, or 773 in number, are multipurpose and operate in two or more lines of business,” Unson added.

Agusan del Sur contributed the largest share to the region’s total business volume, with PHP4.5 billion, followed by Agusan del Norte with PHP3.9 billion.

Surigao del Sur recorded PHP1.8 billion, Surigao del Norte PHP1.6 billion, and Dinagat Islands PHP723 million.

“The PHP12.6 billion contributions of our cooperatives are based on audited data submitted to our office as of Dec. 31, 2023,” Unson said. (PNA)