campuco: from farmers and fisherfolks to entrepreneurs and ... · sumunod na sila sa ordinansa ng...
TRANSCRIPT
E-KWENTO September 2018
W hat makes a livelihood project successful? Is it the profit it generates? Is it the number of people it employs? Is it the sales
and the continuous production?
In the heart of Barangay Ajong of Sibulan, Negros Oriental lies the Community Ajong Multipurpose Cooperative
(CAMPUCO). Composed of 136 members who are farmers and fisherfolks, the cooperative became a beneficiary of the DOLE
Integrated Livelihood Program in 2015 for a Bangus Production Project. Currently, they are raising the bar for livelihood projects as they
mix environmental preservation, people empowerment, and income generation into their Bangus Production Project, supported through
the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
The Local Government Unit of Brgy. Ajong and the members of CAMPUCO started the bangus production
project in the hope of saving their environment from residents who keep on throwing their garbage
mercilessly on the riverbanks and mangrove areas. “Iyong mga taong nakatira malapit sa ilog, ginawa nila
itong tapunan ng basura”, said Brgy. Captain Virgilo P. Abueva Jr. of Brgy. Ajong.
Getting tired of the never-ending clean up drives and the lack of discipline among the residents, the
barangay officials and the members of the CAMPUCO searched for solutions to address the problem. When Brgy. Captain Abueva joined
the Lakbay Aral of Barangay Officials to Dapitan, Pangasinan he saw a natural fish pond that serves as an area for bangus production
and eco-tourism for the community. Right then, he thought that it is what the barangay needed to preserve the river and generate income
for its people. However, another problem occurred— lack of capital.
“Gusto naming makagawa ng natural fish pond para ma-maintain na rin ang environment.
Hindi ito magastos sa pagkain dahil kumakain ng mga lumot o algae ang mga isda. Pero
kulang ang kapital na mayroon ang mga miyembro. Kaya nag-submit ang CAMPUCO ng
project proposal sa DOLE”, Brgy. Captain Abueya mentioned.
Through the DOLE Negros Oriental Field Office and the Public Employment Service Office of
Sibulan, the cooperative was granted with an assistance for livelihood formation.
“Nakatanggap kami mula sa DOLE ng
Php 119, 600.00 in September 2015 for bangus
production. Bumili kami ng fingerlings, feeds,
posts, at mga nets”, said Ms. Chola Alaba,
Chairman of CAMPUCO.
“Mula noon, hindi na nagtatapon ng basura ang mga residente. Sumunod na sila sa ordinansa
ng barangay at natutuwa rin silang makita ang mga isda. Ang mga dating nag-tatapon dito,
katulong na rin naming magpakain ng mga isda at maglinis ng kapaligiran”, Mr. Abueva added.
Extending their efforts to further conserve their natural resources, the members of CAMPUCO
also conducted tree planting, clean-up drive, and backyard gardening.
On Environmental Preservation
CAMPUCO: From Farmers and Fisherfolks to Entrepreneurs and Environmental Stewards
Brgy. Captain Virgilo P. Abueva Jr
During the construction of the fish cages for the
project (Photo by CAMPUCO)
CAMPUCO members during their tree planting
activity (Photo by CAMPUCO)
Photo by CAMPUCO
E-KWENTO September 2018
A side from helping in environmental preservation, the project also generated
employment for the women, senior citizens, and other marginal fisherfolks
within the community. “Noong nakapag-trabaho na ako dito, nakatulong na
ako ng malaki sa aking pamilya. Katulong ako sa pagtatayo ng mga poste at
nets para sa mga isda. Ako rin ang nagpapakain at nagme-maintain. Sumasahod ako ng
Php 200.00 kada araw at kinsenas ang bigayan”, Mr. Franklin Navarro, 73 years old, and
a worker of CAMPUCO stated.
Ms. Alaba also shared how the project empowered the members as they attended capacity
building seminars provided by the DOLE and other supporting agencies. “Nakatulong ito sa
pag-capacitate ng mga miyembro namin dahil dumami ang mga training na natatanggap
namin. Na-empower din ang mga kababaihan na walang ginagawa sa bahay at limitado ang
kita ng asawa”, Ms. Alaba said. Involving both men and women in the activities, the project has
even mainstreamed equal opportunities and development for all.
T he Bangus Production of CAMPUCO allowed the members to have additional
income and investment. With their smooth operations and minimal expenses, the
members are able to harvest 400 kilos of bangus every three to four months and sell
their produce at a competitive price. “Para sa mga members, ipinagbibili namin ang
aming mga bangus sa halagang Php 90.00 to Php 100.00 per kilo. Para naman sa mga hindi
members, ipinagbibili namin ito sa halagang Php 110.00 to Php 120.00 per kilo. Umaabot sa
Php 29,000.00 ang aming net income kada-harvest.”, said Lorie L. Ogoc, Treasurer of
CAMPUCO.
What are their plans in the future? “Sa ngayon, pinapaikot namin ang aming kita at plano pa naming mapalaki ang aming production
area para gawing venue for agri-tourism. Gusto rin naming mag-venture sa fish processing. Nagsimula na rin kaming mag-alaga ng
tahong dahil nakikita namin ang market potential nito”, said Mr. Robert Navarro, Project Manager of the Bangus Production Project of
CAMPUCO.
With all the accomplishments and contributions to the community, the
members of CAMPUCO have been very proud of their project and labeled it
as 3-in-1. When we asked as to why it was called that way, Mr. Restituto
Aranas, Barangay Official and member of CAMPUCO said, “’Yung livelihood
namin, tinatawag naming 3-in-1. Bakit? Kasi one, may resource conservation.
Pangalawa, may livelihood sa mga members ng kooperatiba, dahil sa tulong
ng DOLE. Pangatlo, nakapag-generate ng employment sa aming barangay.
Kaya maraming salamat sa inyo, DOLE”.
The project has gained the appreciation of the DOLE Negros Oriental Field
Office who is equally grateful to the partners who made this project a
success.
Ms. Marites Mercado, Head of the Field Office said, “The LGU in Sibulan is
very supportive to us, including their PESO Manager. Sila ang tumutulong sa
amin at sumasama kapag nagsasagawa kami ng monitoring. We coordinate
with them and they are very supportive to our projects”. She knows that the
collective effort from partners plays a vital role in making this project
sustainable in the coming years.
For the members of CAMPUCO, Ms. Mercado also
said: “We thank you for supporting our program
and I hope that you will further sustain the project.
Just remain to be intact, strong, and transparent in
all of your transactions. If you need our assistance,
we are willing to help you. Also, if you are willing to
expand and will be needing support for
enhancement, the DOLE is ever ready to help out.”
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairperson: Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla
Editor-in-Chief: Cielo C. Cabalatungan
Managing Editor:
Content :
404-3336, 527-5856, 527-3097 Telefax: 527-5858
www.bwsc.dole.gov.ph
http://www.facebook.com/bwsc.dole
On People Empowerment
On Income Generation
Mr. Navarro feeding
the bangus
The members of CAMPUCO during their
assessment activity (Photo by CAMPUCO)
The bountiful harvest of CAMPUCO, ready for
distribution to market (Photo by CAMPUCO)
The BWSC Documentation Team, together with the personnel from
the DOLE Negros Oriental Field Office and CAMPUCO members
Ms. Marites Mercado, Head
of the DOLE Negros Oriental
Field Office