The once complacent and government-dependent disposition
of the townsfolk in Barangay Baldios in Tarlac has now been
replaced by a self-sustaining and self-committed attitude.
This is attributable to the revenue-generating program established
by all municipal and provincial officials which capitalizes
on livelihood projects such as mini-agro-forestry, fish
production, pottery and brick-making.
Agricultural lands good for forestry or fish-production
are first identified. Because most of these lands are privately-owned,
memorandums of agreement have been executed between the
owners and the barangay officials, allowing these lands
to be used publicly for tree-planting or conversion into
fishponds. A 30-70% scheme is usually proposed. 30% of the
income from the use of the land is given back to the land
owners while the remaining 70% goes to the barangay. Once
this arrangement has been settled, cooperative efforts and
partnerships with agencies are made for the townsfolk’s
technical training. Special emphasis is also given to hand-made
products like pottery. Families from all seven puroks are
encouraged to get involved in the planting and nurturing
of trees and other flowering plants. The schedules for these
activities are already pre-determined and given to the families
that are assigned for the particular day.
This program, which revolves around the idea of community
ownership, has united and uplifted the entire barangay.
Its beneficiaries reached approximately 291 households.
And because of an increase in income, brick and concrete
homes were built, additional amenities at home were provided,
and more importantly, education for their children was afforded.
The values of volunteerism, civic-mindedness and commitment
were also instilled.
Certainly, these projects have become the townsfolk’s
way of life. Therefore, the sustainability of this project
can be expected to last as a legacy for future generations.
Barangay Baldios in Tarlac has transformed itself
into a progressive self-sustaining barangay, deriving income
from its livelihood projects such as a mini-agro-forestry,
fish production and pottery and brick-making. Around 291
households were beneficiaries of these livelihood projects.
Though most lands are privately owned, Memoranda of Agreement
have been executed by the owners with the barangay officials
to have these idle lands planted with trees or made into
fishponds. A 30-70% scheme has been agreed by both parties.
The 30% of income is reverted back to the land owners and
70% to the barangay. Cooperative efforts and partnerships
have also been forged with municipal, provincial officials
and other agencies for skills and technical training. Emphasis
is on hand-made products like pottery. Families assigned
to the planting and nurturing of the trees and other flowering
plants in all seven puroks are given daily schedules. Community
ownership has united the barangay.
Concerted efforts from all municipal and provincial
officials had built the capabilities of the barangay constituents.
From a complacent attitude of reliance on government grew
a self-committed barangay. They saw the fruits of their
labor through increased income which had contributed to
the improvement of their quality of life. Brick and concrete
homes were built, amenities at home were provided and education
for their children obtained. Subsistence and sustenance
from the livelihood projects was shown with the contented
faces of the barangay constituents. The spirit of volunteerism,
civic-mindedness and commitment to these projects had by
far induced the barangay to develop the values of unity,
cooperation and the will to rise from poverty.
The sustainability of the projects is dependent on
the way the constituents perceive the projects as a legacy
for future generations. Maintaining these projects is their
way of life. It is thus a fitting tribute to every Filipino,
who rises amidst the harsh realities of living in his environment,
to get hold of himself and to take pride for what he has
achieved for the world to see.
