Socioeconomic Impact

Hand in hand with the center’s expansion was the improvement in the lives of its members. The young ladies no longer have to work as house helpers in Manila just to earn P2,000 per month.  They now stay with their families as abaca weavers.

The cooperative pays each regular weaver P200-P250 a day for an eight-hour work. The regular also has Social Security System (SSS) coverage. This translates to P5,000 per month. Compared to the P130 daily wage of a casual employee of the municipal government and P90 per day of the weavers of Albay, the weavers of TUPA have something to be proud of. They have the purchasing power to buy new appliances and the means to improve their homes. Their once shaky nipa houses are now reinforced concrete structures that can weather any storm. Some of them have even ventured into backyard hog raising and invested in tricycles to be used as public transport to help other unemployed family members.

 

The cooperative now employs 25-30 regular weavers, excluding auxiliary help.  Gleaning from the present organizational structure, each weaver is supported by seven to ten laborers of different functions at various levels.  On the down line, there are strippers, sorters, knotters, warpers, bobbin winders, quality controllers, and pressing and dyeing technicians. Each is paid according to his ability.

The cooperative also employs differently-abled people. An example is Gabriel Tanyangona, a 32-year-old man who has been blind since he was two years old. He was given the opportunity to be productive by training as tinagak maker with an output of one kilogram per week at P300 per kilogram.

The testimonies below provide insights on how the weaving center has made a difference in their lives:

“My husband works as abaca farmer. With three children, the P800 per week income could not even provide us with three meals a day.  I was so lucky to have been given a chance to undergo the training and apprenticeship. Presently I have been a regular weaver for one year now earning P300 per day.  The daily school allowances of my children are not a problem anymore and I have started to acquire needed home appliances and pieces of furniture. We can now afford to have decent noche buena and media noche during Christmas and New Year, respectively.  My children can enjoy the holidays shopping at the mall.  I hope this weaving will be a continuing activity. – Melba Abesamis

 

“I started with weaving when my youngest was two years old.  She practically grew up here in the center.  Right now she’s one of the day-care pupils.

 

“I have been working with Sir Apanti for the past 3 years earning P300 per day.   I am so lucky to have the job.  Imagine, my husband does not have a permanent work. How can we sustain our daily needs?  Now the daily allowances of my two children are not a problem anymore.

 

“We are starting to acquire some appliances such as television set and video compact disc.  We can still have some savings for house renovation.  All of us here are SSS members so we can expect something upon retirement.” – Josefa Valenzuela

 

“My seven years as a weaver have been a fruitful one.  I was able to have my eldest child finish commerce course. Now she’s working and helping me financially for the education of her brother who is in his 4^th year in Agriculture.

 

“All of us here were plain housewives before. Now we can be considered office girls working 7:30 – 4:00.  Given the choice to work between the local government office  and here, dito na lang kami.” – Lily Tanagra

 

“At an early age I was taught by Nanay to make duyan made of abaca salapid (braided), My father is an abaca farmer/stripper.  I can finish one duyan in four days of work. Nanay does it in two days. Unfortunately, nowadays we do not receive orders anymore.  My neighbor, a weaver, taught me how to prepare abaca tinagak.  It’s hard but this is a God-given gift and an opportunity to earn a living.  Here,  I am  paid P300 per  kilo tinagak which I  can finish  in 14 days.  This work is boring and nakakaantok.  I prefer to do the knotting at night, then, I can finish one kilo in eight days.” 

When asked what his dreams are . . .” Just two simple things.  First, I hope that the duyan be in again and second, I want to have my own guitar.  I can play and sing some spiritual songs when I am bored.” - GABRIEL TANYANGONA

This statement is a call to some kindhearted individuals willing to have Gabby’s dream come true.  He can be another Willy Garte or Stevie Wonders.

The cooperative sets aside three percent of its marketing share for expansion to sustain its growth. In fact, it has acquired lots at Barangays Purar-an and Danao in Baras for putting up additional centers. The possibility of transferring to a new site is also considered since the center in San Lorenzo is only being rented.  With their sense of self worth, the once shy women of Baras are able to speak with confidence to anyone who asks them about their work, be it a local or foreign interviewer. 

The project has changed the outlook of more than 30 women and will continue to change other women with the expansion of the center.

 

The vision and faith of one man has opened a new horizon for the whole community of Baras. PTRI’s S&T Interventions will always be within its reach to bring fresh ideas, possibilities, and new hope.