Cordillera media cooperative approved

August 8, 2020 Community Billboard

The Cordillera Media Credi t Cooperative today, August 5, has been officially recognized by the Cooperative Development Authority as works to help the 45 initial journalists-members especially during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic has officially started.
Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) president Aldwin Quitasol, a correspondent of the Daily Tribune, received the certificate signed by CDA chairman Orlando Ravanera from regional director Frank Bawang, Jr. officially recognizing the CMCC. Quitasol was one of the spearheads in organizing the media cooperative when his term as BCBC president was rocked by pandemic that one of the club’s major annual works was cancelled – the Lucky Summer Visitor and Media Camp held during the Holy Week at the Burnham Park.
Many of the media workers – members of the BCBC were also affected as works were cut down when Luzon was declared under enhanced community quarantine last March 17. In fact, most of the print media stopped printing as printing presses were shuttered after the ECQ was enforced.
The BCBC through the blessings of the city government of Baguio was able to put up a media help desk at the Public Information Office – Baguio were relief goods were given to its members to help them weather the pandemic.
Most of the print media members are on a “per article basis” of payment. Mayor Benjamin Magalong, during a meeting with BCBC officers and members at the Baguio City Hall, promised to help them out as the clamor to form a long dreamt of cooperative intensified.
It was only after May 15 that proper media works started, especialy print media which started printing their papers, although with less pages as advertisements were practically reduced to nil.
Of the 14 weekly and single daily that were published before the ECQ was declared, only six now remain, with some of the newspapers even imposing a pay cut on their staff so that the publishers can bed and have the newspapers on the street during the weekends.
During a visit to Cordillera media by Philippine Communications Operations Office Martin Andanar here last May 23 to distribute relief goods, said he has urged government agencies to help out hard hit print media through advertisement.
He said that even big print newspapers from Manila have been adversely affected and have downsized. He also encouraged government media to help their private counterpart in news gathering. The first general assembly staged at the behest of Quitasol was held on June 5 at the Baguio city multi-purpose hall where an initial 33 members signed in and who agreed to pay the P10,000 capital contribution spread in one year.
The meeting also named nine interim board members that include Quitasol, Dexter See of the PIO – Baguio, Roderick Osis and Malen Catajan of SunStar Baguio, Frank Cimatu of Rappler and Baguio Chronicle, Artemio Dumlao, Jr. of the Philippine Star, Jordan Tablac of Bombo Radyo, Jonathan Munar of DZEQ – Radyo ng Bayan and GMA – 7 stringer Darius Bajo. Interim officers are: Joseph Manzano of DZBS – RPN 9 was named as manager with Rose Malekchan of DZWT – DZWR as treasurer and Rosa Langsa Moresto as her assistant, Pigeon Lobien of the Philippine News Agency as secretary and Dionisio Dennis, Jr. of DZWT – DZWR as assistant secretary.
The group had its pre-member seminar with the CDA last June 16 as the officers and directors tackled the registration. Some 45 Cordillera-based journos signed up.
“Now we can help our fellow members hard hit by the pandemic as we also expect to have new members,” said See, acting chairman of the CMCC.