Launched on June 9, 2011, the CALP is a lending program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), which is chaired by DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala. The program aims to broaden access to financing by small farmers and fisherfolk through cooperative financial institutions. Financing for stable cooperative rural banks and viable rural cooperatives with existing agricultural lending programs will be made available through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). Priority is given to areas covered by the DA, DAR, and DENR National Convergence Initiative (NCI) such as the province of Ilocos Sur.

              The SACDECO, which is recognized as one of the most progressive cooperatives in the province of Ilocos Sur and in Region 1, passed the DBP’s rigorous risk acceptance criteria, including the requirement of a COOP PESOS rating of at least 60%, good credit standing, and satisfactory track record in lending to farmers.

              The review conducted by the DBP on SACDECO’s financial condition showed that the cooperative’s COOP PESOS rating stood at 74.4% as of August 2010. The organization has no past due obligations, an “all current“ performance valuation in terms of credit standing, and a good mark in terms of track record in lending to farmers, as shown by its historical agri-loan releases of P10.4 million per month over the last three years. The track record shown by SACDECO makes it an ideal partner for the CALP in addressing the financing needs of agricultural micro-entrepreneurs, farmers, and fisherfolk in Northern Luzon.

              With its head office located in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, SACDECO’s operations cover the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union and Pangasinan through its six branches spread out in the towns of Santa and Santiago in Ilocos Sur, Bangar and Bacnotan in La Union and Villasis and Asingan in Pangasinan.