A total of 1,753 registered cooperatives in the Caraga region generated more than P12.6 billion in business volume in 2023, according to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

CDA-13 Assistant Director Anecita Unson said most of the registered cooperatives in the region, or 68 percent, are classified as micro cooperatives.

Small cooperatives make up 19 percent, medium cooperatives 11 percent, and large cooperatives 2 percent.

“Micro cooperatives have assets not exceeding P3 million, small cooperatives have over P3 million to P15 million, medium cooperatives have over P15 million to P100 million, and large cooperatives have assets exceeding P100 million,” Unson said.

The region also boasts of three billionaire cooperatives, all categorized as large: the Baug CARP Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte; the PERA Multipurpose Cooperative; and the San Francisco Growth Enhancement Multipurpose Cooperative, both based in Agusan del Sur.

“Most of our cooperatives, or 773 in number, are multipurpose and operate in two or more lines of business,” Unson added.

Agusan del Sur contributed the largest share to the region’s total business volume, with P4.5 billion, followed by Agusan del Norte with P3.9 billion.

Surigao del Sur recorded P1.8 billion, Surigao del Norte P1.6 billion, and Dinagat Islands P723 million.

“The P12.6 billion contributions of our cooperatives are based on audited data submitted to our office as of Dec. 31, 2023,” Unson said.