A LAWMAKER is pushing to develop its own digital selling platform for cooperatives, similar to existing e-commerce platforms, to help cooperatives reach markets beyond traditional face-to-face selling.
Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, 21st City Council committee chair on cooperative development, said the goal would be a “one-stop shop” for cooperative products beyond the public market.
“Maybe the city, we will create na somehow, with the applications, na sama sa kaning Lazada or maybe Grab, na we could make a parang one-stop-shop,” Alejandre said during Pulong-pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday.
The councilor cited the Department of Trade and Industry’s existing online platform for products as a possible model.
“Maybe soon, Davao City will be the pioneer of the digital platform for delivery and selling products like the big apps, Lazada, Shein, or maybe Shopee,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the councilor reported that the Rural Improvement Club, a citywide network of women farmers, has begun selling its produce through an online delivery application, in partnership with the City Agriculture Office and the Office of the Mayor.
RIC members were provided with a physical selling point at the Agdao Public Market.
The councilor said Grab Philippines has been conducting training on product development and marketing for the farmers and has pushed its accredited restaurant partners to buy vegetables from the group.
The city is looking forward to extending similar programs to other sectors, including fisherfolk associations.
Alejandre reported that the committee is drafting an ordinance that would double the maximum loan amount available to large cooperatives here, from P1 million to P2 million.
The city’s Business Development Board has been directed to fast-track the draft this year so it can be passed and implemented next year.
While the amendment is pending, small, medium, and large cooperatives, including farmer cooperatives accredited by the city, may still avail of zero-interest loans for two to three years.
The councilor said the city also offers loans through the City Agriculturist’s Office and an individual loan of up to P20,000 through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), available to members of city-accredited cooperatives.
Around five loan applications, including from tricycle cooperatives in Agdao and other areas and from farmers’ associations, are currently up for approval.
Under the current guidelines, cooperatives categorized as micro and small cooperatives (assets up to ₱15 million) can access loans between ₱100,000 and ₱300,000 with a three-year repayment term, with a quarterly mode of payment.
Medium and large cooperatives (assets above ₱15 million) are eligible for ₱301,000 to ₱1 million with a two-year repayment period, with a similar mode of payment to micro and small.
If approved, micro and small cooperatives could see their loanable amounts rise to P300,000 to P500,000, while medium and large entities could access up to P1 million to P2 million.
As of April 2026, there are a total of 151 accredited CSOs in the city, most of which are farmers and fisherfolk associations (75), cooperatives (38), and NGOs (38).
