CRAFTING FOR A LIVING

“Noong una, kami lang ng asawa ko ang gumagawa ng baskets. Hanggang sa naturuan namin ang mga kasama namin at ngayon ay mayroon na kaming dagdag kita pantustos sa aming pangangailangan,” said Ofelia Ordinario, association president.

 

According to Cherish June Holongbayan, Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) focal person of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Palanan, Isabela, the said people’s organization is a beneficiary of the program’s Biodiversity-Friendly Social Enterprise (BDFE).

 

CMEMP is a government strategy to effectively manage and reduce threats in coastal and marine ecosystems.

 

“We engaged the community in BDFE to promote sustainable use of resources. The members are also our partners in marine biodiversity conservation. They report illegal fishing and hunting of pawikans to our office and to MENRO Divilacan,” Holongbayan said.

 

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Arthur Umengan said they plan to establish plantations of nito, climbing ferns which stems are used as material for handicrafts.

 

“We are encouraging every household to establish backyard plantation of nito. Gagawin namin siyang family approach para sustainable ang raw materials na kailangan nila,” he said.

 

Established in 2018, the members of the association had undergone trainings provided by the DENR, local government of Divilacan, and Department of Trade and Industry.

 

The members now produce quality baskets, bags, vase, fruit trays, plate disks, food covers and house displays.#