LandBank helps Bulacan co-op grow with its community

In what was once a predominantly agricultural barangay of Santa Maria, Bulacan, a grassroots initiative that began with a handful of farmers under a sampaloc tree has blossomed into one of the province’s most progressive cooperatives.

Backed by LandBank, the Catmon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) has thrived by growing alongside its community– evolving to meet changing needs while staying true to its agricultural roots.

Growing up in Catmon, Emeliza Laurenciana, now the Chairperson of Catmon MPC, recalls the Cooperative as a constant in a community once surrounded by rice fields and backyard farms.

“It’s all thanks to the unwavering support of LANDBANK that our Cooperative has flourished, allowing us to uplift the lives of so many in our community, including mine,” Laurenciana shared.

From a Tree to a Vision Catmon MPC’s journey started in 1987, when 26 farmers and livestock raisers came together with a shared mission—to improve their lives and uplift their community through agriculture. Each contributed 500, pooling a total initial capital of 12,500 that would mark the foundation of what is now a pillar of grassroots development in the area.

“Back then, local farmers struggled with limited access to capital, technical know-how, and reliable markets. We saw those gaps firsthand, and that became our driving force—to build a Cooperative that could offer real, lasting support where it was most needed,” shared Luisito dela Rosa, one of the 26 founding members who now serves as Catmon MPC’s General Manager.

The Cooperative initially focused on livestock production, and with a small grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA), it built a feed mill—a critical asset that improved access to affordable, high-quality animal feeds for farmers across Catmon.

Today, Catmon MPC has expanded into dairy production, offering yogurt, flavored milk, and sterilized milk—products that are especially popular among the younger residents in Sta. Maria. The Cooperative also continues to provide financial and livelihood assistance to both long-time members and new households in the community.

“What began under a sampaloc tree has now grown into offices and facilities serving communities across Sta. Maria, Bulacan,” shared Dela Rosa, reflecting on the Cooperative’s journey.

“To grow with the community means evolving with it. We were founded on agriculture, and that will always be our foundation. But LANDBANK has helped us build on that, expanding our reach without losing sight of where we came from,” he added.