Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative

HistorySorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) is first established as Sorosoro Ibaba Farmers’ Association last March 19, 1969, thru Mr. Victoriano E. Barte who acted as the President and as the General Manager. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and was issued with a license. The association was funded initially by 59 members who voluntarily contributed two hundred pesos each for a total capital of P 11,800.00. It was used for the construction of a goods store that offered basic commodities needed by the residents. Since some have started poultry and hog raising, feeds and other veterinary products were made available. The association has also become a dealer of different products, which were offered at low prices. In 1972, the association became the Samahang Nayon ng Sorosoro Ibaba. Contract-growing activities were started. The success of the operation has strongly encouraged additional members to a total of 500, large enough for an organization to qualify as a full-pledged cooperative. Samahang Nayon ng Sorosoro Ibaba, Inc. became Sorosoro Ibaba Consumers’ Cooperative. in November, 1978. Five years later, it was registered with the Ministry of Agriculture as a development cooperative. Only then the cooperative was renamed Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative, Inc. (SIDCI). It became Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) in 1997. As of December 31, 2008, the cooperative has 5,964 regular members and 6,296 associate members. It is foreseen to increase due to the successes and the benefits it has been providing not only to members but to the community as well. Most of its members are residents of Batangas City. It has also members from nearby provinces like Laguna, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Metro Manila, Bataan and Nueva Ecija. It now employs 252 regular employees most of which are members of the coop.