BRIEF HISTORY AND MILESTONES
GMA-7 EMPLOYEES’ MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (GEMPC)
Humble Beginnings
In 1994, forty-two (42) employees banded together as founders and organized GMA-7 Employees’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative with an initial paid-up capital of Ᵽ21,000.00. On the same year, on the 20th day of May, a Certificate of Registration was issued by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
With legal personality to operate, the Cooperative embarked on a credit activity limited to its small resources of Ᵽ21,000.00. Through continuous build-up of capital, it launched its canteen operations on September 16, 1994.
Slowly but surely, the succeeding years demonstrated the steady build-up and inflow of capital from the Cooperative members enabling the Board of Directors to act aggressively for the expansion and diversification of business activities with the full support of the Cooperative members.
The Fruits of Continuing Success
Over the years, the growth of Cooperative businesses and operations were realized through the following - catering services, canteen, loans, grocery and appliance store, and photocopying operations. Coping with shelter as one of the members’ basic needs, the Cooperative also put up a 10 rent-to-own housing units in Bgy. Sto. Niño, Marikina City which are now fully occupied by Cooperative members and their families; and a three-storey dormitory building which can accommodate 80 members and employees at reasonable rates and proximity convenience located in Kamuning, Quezon City.
GEMPC’s quest for business development is unstoppable. This year, it has significantly embarked on a new business of leasing 3 units for office and business purposes housed in its very own newly constructed nine-storey building (6 floors and 3 basements) along Timog Avenue, Quezon City – the GMAEC (GMA-7 Employees Multipurpose Cooperative) Building.
More than Business
The Cooperative is not just into growing its businesses. It has also been a timely source of additional income for its members through the periodic receiving of interests for their paid-up capital and through the patronage refund for availing of the Cooperative’s products and services. These additional resources come handy and helpful to all members adhering them to faithfully keep their obligations to the Cooperative.
Believing in empowerment and success through education, the Cooperative has sustained its earnest drive to grant scholarship to eligible dependents of Cooperative members. To date there are eight (8) Cooperative college scholars with the first batch expected to graduate this year.
The Sterling Marks
The Cooperative’s success through the years is manifested in the public recognition accorded to it by the Quezon City local government and the Cooperative Development Authority. Awarded twice as one of the three (3) Most Outstanding Cooperatives in the 4th District of Quezon City by the Quezon City Cooperative Council in coordination with the CDA, the inspiration to outdo past business performances remained evident. It was likewise cited by the Quezon City government “for demonstrating its support through active participation in the Quezon City Cooperative Development Council’s projects and activities.”
It is noteworthy that for two (2) successive years, the Cooperative was recognized as one among the few regional nominees for Gawad Parangal in the National Capital Region by the CDA in 2013 and during the 1st Metro Manila Cooperative Summit on September 26, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
In observance of the 25th Silver and Founding Anniversary of the Bachelor of Cooperatives Program and the University Cooperative Month, the College of Social Sciences and Development of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines conferred to the Cooperative a Certificate of Recognition in appreciation of its invaluable contribution and generous accommodation as Host Coop Training Station of the University’s students in the Practicum/ Internship Program of the Department of Cooperatives and Social Development on February 21, 2014 at the PUP Mabini Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila.
In Progress
Rooted in its humble beginnings, the Cooperative aspires to innovate and keep up with the times, having the highest regard for the welfare of its members. Every success is a milestone, every growth is a reminder of giving back the gratitude to God who has faithfully sustained the Cooperative all these years and counting…