HISTORY OF OFWTCC
In the final months of 2018, driven by a deep desire to support the community and uplift the less fortunate, Engr. Meliton P. Blanco conceived the idea of forming a group composed of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Toledo City. Initially, the plan was not to establish a cooperative but rather to create a group of OFWs who would contribute financially whenever there was a need to assist the less fortunate residents of Toledo City.
Determined to turn this vision into reality, Engr. Blanco invited a select group of individuals to join him. Together, they formed what became known as "CORE GROUP 5", which played a pivotal role in the founding of the Overseas Filipino Workers Toledo Credit Cooperative (OFWTCC). After holding online meetings and thorough discussions, the core group decided that forming a cooperative would be a more sustainable way to support the community than simply providing financial assistance.
The CORE GROUP was composed of the following individuals, all of whom played a key role in establishing OFWTCC:
Engr. Meliton P. Blanco (Founder)
Engr. Dennis B. Abella (Co-founder)
Ms. Berlyn R. Basañes (Co-founder)
Ms. Jennifer S. Cavada (Co-founder)
Mr. Joel O. Tenio (Co-founder)
Since most core group members were living and working abroad, they agreed that Ms. Jen Cavada, a fellow Lumad Toledonhon (native of Toledo City), would relocate from Metro Manila to Toledo City to lead the establishment of OFWTCC. To support her move, they provided her with a plane ticket for the journey.
With financial contributions totaling Seventy-eight Thousand Pesos (PHP 78,000) from the core group members, OFWTCC opened its first makeshift office on March 25, 2019, at Ms. Jen Cavada's rented house in Purok Kalubihan, Sangi, Toledo City, which served as its initial business address. The cooperative then embarked on the rigorous process of preparing, submitting, revising, and resubmitting all necessary documents for registration with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and securing a business permit from the local government unit (LGU).
On April 12, 2019, OFWTCC officially commenced its operations and successfully recruited twenty-one (21) pioneering members by the end of April.
Below is the list of pioneering members of OFWTCC, arranged in chronological order (excluding the 5-member core group):
Reinario Basera (4/12/19)
Rosalie Brazon (4/15/19)
Nelson Balbuena (4/16/19)
Hazel Blanco (4/17/19)
Hubert Barinque (4/22/19)
Janette Barinque (4/22/19)
Honey Grace Basera (4/22/19)
John Brazon (4/22/19)
Rolando Cabacang (4/22/19)
Gina Cajocson (4/22/19)
Lucille Clarido (4/22/19)
Jose Demali Jr. (4/22/19)
Gualberto Diolan (4/22/19)
Razel Diolan (4/22/19)
Bryan Bien Sevilles (4/22/19)
Isabel Sibonga (4/22/19)
Mira Lee Tenio (4/22/19)
Deborah Valiente (4/22/19)
Bryan Basañes (4/22/19)
Bower Laspoña (4/24/19)
Ma. Elena Laspoña (4/24/19)
The inaugural Board of Directors, along with the Treasurer and Secretary, was composed of the following individuals:
Chairman: Mr. Nelson N. Balbuena
Vice-Chairman: Engr. Rolando B. Cabacang
Directors:
Mrs. Mira Lee M. Tenio
Mr. Bryan R. Basañes
Mrs. Grace P. Abella
Mr. Klent Jeender R. Laspoña
Mrs. Rosalie L. Brazon
Treasurer: Ms. Jennifer S. Cavada
Secretary: Ms. Isabel S. Sibonga
On April 26, 2019, OFWTCC transferred its office from Ms. Jen Cavada's rented house to JLM Building (2nd Floor of Metrobank), providing a more formal and accessible space for its operations.
Finally, on August 23, 2019, OFWTCC received its Certificate of Registration (Registration No.: 9520-1070000000046779) from the Cooperative Development Authority.
On May 12, 2022, OFWTCC became a member of the Philippine Cooperative Central Fund Federation (PCF).
On June 2, 2022, the Board of Directors of OFWTCC decided to move to a larger office space in FGM2 Building (2nd Floor of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation). This move allowed the cooperative to open a grocery store exclusively for its members, offering free delivery within Toledo City and a minimal delivery fee for areas outside Toledo City.
The cooperative continued to grow, and on January 18, 2025, OFWTCC inaugurated its Compostela Satellite Office to better serve its expanding membership and extend its reach to a broader community.
To further expand its services, the Cooperative joined CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative (CLIMBS) on January 1, 2024.
On December 18, 2024, OFWTCC became a member of the Cooperative Bank of Cebu (CBC), further enhancing its capacity to serve its members.
On May 22, 2025, the Overseas Filipino Workers Toledo Credit Cooperative (OFWTCC) finalized the purchase of a lot owned by Ms. Elenita Tampus Rosento, located in Barangay Población, Toledo City, Cebu (near the old University of the Visayas - Toledo City Campus). OFWTCC, represented by its Operations Manager, Ms. Isabel S. Sibonga, and its Treasurer, Ms. Yvonne Y. Caballero, signed the Deed of Absolute Sale for Lot No. 12083 (identical to Lot No. 315-A) and paid Ms. Elenita Tampus Rosento the amount of PHP 3,400,000.00 as full payment for the property.
This newly purchased lot will later be used for the construction of the OFWTCC Commercial Building.
The rest, as they say, is history.