Jones,
a fourth class municipality in the province of Isabela is
known for its indigenous material called talahib, which
is a type of grass that grows abundantly in the area. An
initiative to produce talahib décor products has
transformed Jones into a dynamic industrial area. Students,
housewives, and farmers were enlisted in the manufacture
of wall decors, flower vases, lampshades, candle holders,
and multi-purpose racks, which were initially sold locally.
The
municipal government supported the program hands-on by coordinating
closely with farmer suppliers to ensure the stable and sufficient
supply of talahib. Additionally, skills training on weaving
were arranged for volunteers from the different barangays.
Because of this show of assistance, Jones soon found itself
exporting talahib products internationally.
Jones
benefited greatly during the three-year implementation of
this program. Employment was generated for 150 summer students,
306 out-of-school youths and housewives, 279 full-time weavers,
and a number of on-call weavers from six barangays. Weavers
earned as much as Php240 daily depending on their skills
and speed. The farmers who supplied the talahib also saw
their incomes rise. Some of them became independent manufacturers
of handicrafts and marketed their products to the municipality
through a buy-back agreement. This program has also helped
reduce youth-related problems in the area since more idle
time is put to productive use. Women were similarly empowered
as this became an opportunity for them to earn additional
income thus contributing to household-related expenses.
Jones, a fourth class
municipality in Isabela province had creatively found a
way of creating jobs by using an indigenous material like
talahib, a type of grass, which grows abundantly in the
area. Innovative minds and creative hands of students, housewives
and farmers transformed the talahib into saleable items
like wall decors, flower vases, lampshades, candle holders
and multi-purpose racks. These products were not only sold
locally but also exported to other countries. Skills training
on weaving were conducted for volunteers from the different
barangays. To ensure stable and sufficient supply of talahib,
the municipal government coordinated closely with the farmer
suppliers.
During
the 3-year program implementation, employment was generated
for 150 summer students, 306 out-of-school youths and housewives
and 279 full time weavers. In addition, on-call weavers
from the six barangays can be relied on to absorb the increase
in production demand. Weavers earned as much as P240 per
day depending on their skills and speed. The farmers increased
their income by selling talahib. Some of them became independent
manufacturers of handicrafts and marketed their products
to the municipality through a buy-back agreement. Idle time
of the youth had been made productive thereby reducing youth-related
problems in the area. The women earned additional income,
which was used in sending their children to school and in
providing additional food and for their other daily needs.
