Starting Point
Engineer Sylvia Okilay-Paraguya is a chemical engineer and holds a Master's degree in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management. She is the CEO of the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), which represents 850 cooperatives and serves 6.4 million members. Under her guidance, NATCCO provides various services, including business support such as funding and payment solutions, support services in the form of training, IT support, and microfinance, as well as monitoring, including stabilisation funds.
With 28 years of experience in the cooperative sector, she has led notable organisations like the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) and the Network Consolidated Cooperative Bank. Additionally, she has spearheaded initiatives like the National Cooperative Development Council and the International Proxfin Network. She also serves on the Coop Sector Council of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and participated in negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front from 2004 to 2008.
Peace Journey
Engr. Okilay-Paraguya became a member of the Peace Negotiating Panel as a government peace negotiator. As the youngest and only woman among the five members, she represented both women and indigenous communities in the government’s efforts to resolve the armed conflict with Muslim separatist rebels. Although the peace talks often faltered, she persevered. During the peace negotiations, extensive consultations brought daunting challenges. When the peace talks failed again in 2008, the governmental peace panel was disbanded. Reflecting on her four years as a peace negotiator, she feels gratitude. She hopes the progress made in our quest for a peaceful Mindanao will support the ongoing peace talks toward a successful outcome.
Success Stories
In 2009, Engr. Okilay-Paraguya became the Chief Executive Officer of the National Confederation of Cooperatives, which oversees the Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies (MASS) and the Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Centre (SPECC). She promotes sustainable development and alternative livelihoods for impoverished communities while serving as chair of the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW). Founded in 2001 by Muslim, Christian, and indigenous women, the commission has a significant influence on public policy and opinion regarding peace and development. It introduced initiatives like “Mothers for Peace” and “Youth for Peace." It advocates for women’s issues in peace decisions, believing that sustainable peace requires women's leadership. It focuses on peace and multiculturalism, poverty reduction, and governance.
She also leads the Mindanao Coalition of Development Non-Government Organisations (MinCODE), a network of non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) that share insights on development programmes and advocate for the rights of Lumad, Moro, and Christian settlers.