Efficiency and Empathy at the Top: GM Lydia R. de Asis

Lydia de Asis, often referred to as Ma’am Lydia or GM Lydia by the coop members and her peers, began her tenure at CBMPC in 2013 . Then in 2021, the then General Manager, recommended her to succeed him. Initially, she felt apprehensive about the suggestion and hesitated due to concerns that her lack of an accounting background might hinder her effectiveness as a manager. However, reflecting on her years at LANDBANK, where she worked for 37 years, she resolved, “With strong determination, hard work, dedication, and a positive work attitude, I can face all challenges as GM, just as I did in LANDBANK. I started as a clerk typist and worked my way up through various positions until I became the head of the International Department, where I supervised the bank’s import and export transactions. If I was able to handle that work, I’m confident I can also manage the responsibilities of the GM at CBMPC.”

GM Lydia has demonstrated her strong leadership skills and ability to create a productive work environment while overseeing the cooperative. She highlights several notable accomplishments:

1. The cooperative successfully navigated the challenges following the pandemic. While many other cooperatives closed, CBMPC achieved a net surplus.
2. The cooperative maintains a lean organizational structure, opting not to hire an Assistant Manager and a replacement for the resigned messenger.
3. CBMPC has diligently complied with the regulatory requirements set by the Cooperative Development Authority particularly the submission of the monthly credit reports to the Credit Information Corporation, becoming one of the few cooperatives to do so successfully and thereby avoiding a penalty of P6,000 per day for non-submission and/or P1,000.00 per day for the delayed submission.
4. The cooperative was able to secure approval for a 5 million peso credit line with the Small Business Corporation, providing an additional loan venue for its members.
5. It has also managed to reduce its past due ratio.
6. As of date, she is supervising the transition of the coop’s accounting system from manual to an efficient automated system.

GM Lydia is personally involved in the daily operations of the cooperative, which include loan releases, PAL ticketing, HMO assistance, deposit management, bond servicing, and overseeing the rental operations of the CBMPC’s apartment building in Las Piñas.

“My second motivation for accepting the position of GM was my desire to support our LBP retirees with their financial needs and the other services that the cooperative can provide. Additionally, it feels great to remain connected to LBP and engage with a familiar circle of friends.”

Tess Rodriguez, a cooperative member and fellow LANDBANK retiree, expressed her gratitude for the help GM Lydia provided during a major life crisis. “Ma’am Lydia encouraged me to take advantage of the services offered by the cooperative. I am glad nandiyan ang coop at tumutulong na maipagpatuloy ng anak ko ang kanyang pangarap na maging doktor”.

Jojo Manalo, another coop member and a LANDBANK retiree, also faced challenges after losing his wife at a young age. However, with the help of CBMPC since 2008, plus his strong family support system, he has been able to provide a good education and an easy, comfortable life for his daughter. Jojo is thankful to Ma’am Lydia and the CBMPC for the support he has received, and he is sure that they will continue to be there “hanggang maabot ng anak ko ang pangarap niya na maging isang abogado.”

With a leader on top who has the skills, abilities and the wherewithal of efficient manager, and who demonstrates a strong sense of empathy, stories like these will abound.