ON THIS day, Sept. 10, 2025, Magsige-MPC has achieved a remarkable milestone—17 years of unwavering commitment to its members and the community it serves. Indeed, the organization has come a long way from its original goal back in 2008 when founder, Agripino “Ping” L. Torres, registered the co-op with the Cooperative Development Authority to eradicate labor inequality experienced by banana growers in Manuel Guianga and Sirib, Calinan District.
True to its name, which means “persevere” or “always moving forward,” the cooperative has grown into a Mindanao-wide force for economic empowerment for its members.
What began as a local movement now stretches across Mindanao, with major presence in Regions 10, 11, 12, and 13. While Magsige-MPC and Magsige-Savings and Credit are projected to join the elite “Billionaires’ Club” by next year, the co-op has not forgotten its roots—to uplift the lives of its members.
“If you look into the profile of our workers, there are a lot of them who would testify that they were able to buy lands, they were able to build their own houses, and they were able to send their kids to school,” Mr. Torres said. “This is one area that we are really proud of because we were able to help a lot of people.”
“And we can say that we are contributing to the economy of the Philippines. Our payroll alone for our member workers amounts to almost P20 million every 15 days. So, you can just imagine how we can contribute to the economy of the area.
For its economic contribution, Pag-IBIG Fund named Magsige as the Top Employer – Private Sector in Mindanao for the first half of 2025.
Diverse Portfolio
Magsige’s growth is driven by a diverse and innovative portfolio, fueled by its Job Contracting Services, offering not only jobs but also the dignity of work. For instance, its Gré Garments Manufacturing Project, which earned pride at the Productivity Olympics, continues to expand as the co-op supplies uniforms as far as Tawi-Tawi and creates new livelihoods through grants like the DOLE XI Kabuhayan Program.
The co-op also expands its services into layers, piggery, vegetable farming, coffee production and processing for its flagship product, the Gré 4-1 Coffee with Ginseng. Its efforts to help the farmers have borne fruit when the Department of Agriculture gave the co-op the Grand Champion Award at the 2025 National Gawad Saka Awards for its Outstanding Kadiwa Program.
However, Torres, at the ripe age of 76, is not slowing down anytime soon.
A cornerstone of its future plans is the ₱135-million state-of-the-art Coffee Bean Consolidation, Processing, and Marketing Enterprise Project in coordination with the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). The processing plant will soon launch in Dacudao, Calinan District.
Anniversary Activities
Among Magsige’s activities to mark its 17th year are:
- Staff recollection for its 300 personnel on July 26, Aug. 2, and Aug. 9
- Bags caravan (Giving school bags with educational supplies to kids) on Aug. 13, 14, and 19
- Tree planting of 200 mangrove seedlings at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park on Aug. 23
- Medical Mission and bloodletting on Sept. 5
- A visit and gift-giving to 17 residents of Padre Pio Orphanage on Sept. 6
- Agri-trade Fair at Gaisano Grand in Calinan on Sept. 6-7
One of the highlights of the activities is awarding Nillia Gallaza as the Most Outstanding Magsige Entrepreneur, followed by Anisa Abellanida as the 1st Runner-Up, and Glory Feel Empinado rounding up the Top 3.
The anniversary celebration is capped by a fellowship night, “Gabi ng Pasasalamat,” at the Malagos Garden Resort for its 300 staff, along with guests and member workers, who each have an equal chance to win major prizes at the Raffle Draw.
The success of Magsige is woven into its very culture of being God-fearing and Goal-oriented. For instance, every Monday, offices across the network begin with a morning prayer and reflective Bible sharing to remind them of their purpose.
This foundation promotes a culture of innovation and responsiveness, a commitment to finding solutions to problems as they arise.
United, The Co-op Stands
Torres said that cooperatives, being self-help organizations, are only as strong as their members.
“So, members must be loyal and avail themselves of the services of the cooperative. By availing of the services, not only are you helping yourself, but you are also helping other people,” he explained. “Be loyal, be faithful to the cooperative, particularly our vision of being a sustainable cooperative to give prosperity to every family. That has always been our goal.
As Magsige-MPC enters its 17th year, it celebrates its past and reaffirms its promise for the future. Now, at the twilight of his journey, the founding chairman knows that the cooperative is in good hands even in his absence.
“I’m almost about to retire, maybe in two to three years. However, I’ve prepared my staff well. I’ve always told them. We’ve worked hard for this cooperative to thrive, and hopefully, it will continue to exist not only for 50 years but also, hopefully, forever.”
He quickly added, “But if that’s impossible, at least for generations to come.”
