Samar coop members bond to serve masses

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
January 22, 2007

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Samar Shepherd Consumer Cooperative (SSCC) members coming mostly from the Catholic Organization Couples’ for Christ (CFC) have bonded together to serve the poorest of the poor in Samar’s Capital town.

Lindy Tan, pharmacist who is also a member of CFC affiliate Singles for Christ told PIA that their medicine prices are affordable yet quality medicines.

DYMS Manager Johnny Filamor attests to the affordability of the medicine saying that the price is really within the reach of a poor man.

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Specialist Asela Cabañas also said that it is the only cooperative in Samar that ventured into a pharmacy business. Said coop has been registered in July 11, 2006 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yet only started operating on January 18, 2006.

On the opening day, SSCC also offered free consultation and free medicines to the first 200 patrons. Doctor Marina Mugas, an internist from Oras, Eastern Samar grappled with the patients who flocked at the entrance of the pharmacy.

Ariel Donceras, another member said that they talked about how the CFC could extend their out reach projects. With the exorbitant prices of medicines prevailing in Samar’s capital, the members thought of opening a pharmacy.

"Our aim," said Donceras, "is how to help our poor brothers who are bothered when any member of the family is hospitalized and the graver their problems become when the medicines prescribed are highly priced.

The first customers of the pharmacy said Tan were buyers of medicines for cough and colds. The pharmacist said that they offer antibiotics which are 25% cheaper than the more commercial pharmacies in town.