Acting Gov. Isidro Zayco said the soft opening of the Negros Cooperative Bank in Bacolod City yesterday will help the financial needs of cooperative members, such as those engaged in small and medium scale businesses, in Negros Occidental.

The NCB, whose creation was initiated by Gov. Joseph Marañon, will be formally opened on his birthday on March 19, Zayco said.

Fr. Aniceto Buenafe blessed the bank building located in the Capitol Lagoon Park along North Capitol Road in Bacolod City yesterday, after which initial deposits were accepted, Nestor Bayona, provincial government consultant on cooperatives, said.

Zayco said the provincial government is looking into depositing P5 million in the cooperative bank to help boost its resources, if it is legally allowed.

That is because local governments are required to deposit in government-owned banks.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is providing the building being used by the bank.

Bayona said 43 cooperative primaries are the original investors and members of the bank.

The chairman of the Board of Directors of the new bank is Ramon Peñalosa of the Negros Agricultural Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative, while vice chairman is Bayona of the Kabuhayan MPC.

Members are Essena Ramirez of La Castellana I Personnel MPC, Franny Tolcidas of the Federation of Cooperatives of Negros Occidental, Eduardo Ravena of the Bacolod City Employees MPC, Reynaldo Bantug of VMC Farmers MPC, Edgardo Sarrosa of the Farmers MPC, Francisco Boyoc Jr. of the Kasuko Workers Agri Corp. MPC, Clemente Estampador of the Kabankalan-Ilog Teachers and Employees MPC, Roy Cordova of the CENECO Employees MPC, and Alex Barrios of the Sagay City Employees MPC.

Treasurer is Reynaldo Bedaure Jr. of the Capitol Government Employees MPC, while Geoffre Alcazaren is corporate secretary and Ma. Pevi Tongson of the Kusog sg Kababainhan MPC is secretary of the board.

The Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas issued the certificate of authority to operate for the Negros Cooperative Bank effective yesterday, Bayona said.*CPG

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