Bamboo craft and furniture makers receive Php1.8 M assistance from DOLE

Iloilo City-The Department of Labor and Employment extended a Php1, 889, 631. 80 financial assistance for the Bamboo Craft and Furniture Production Project of the 63 member-beneficiaries of Maasin Bamboo Association (MaBamAss) in the municipality of Maasin, Iloilo during a turn-over ceremony on September 5, 2023.

Being a bamboo producing municipality of the province, the abundance of bamboo has been the major source of income among the Maasinanons who produce products such as bahay kubo, sawali, decorative materials, kitchen utensils and bamboo crafts for years.

However, the rapid pace of modernization offers other opportunities and shifted the interest of the jobseekers. Though modern technology ushers new trends in the labor market, the potential of the bamboo industry, the ingenuity of the Maasinanons and their passion to create bamboo products remains.

With the idea of creating jobs for the marginalized sector and at the same time reviving, upgrading and maintaining the bamboo industry, the municipality of Maasin under the leadership of Mayor Francis A. Amboy requested for financial assistance to DOLE Regional Office 6. The assistance aims to promote livelihood through enhancement of bamboo craft, bahay kubo and furniture making projects.

Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. who also advocates the promotion of local culture and promotes the development of local products is positive that the project will render favorable results. “We are providing assistance para sa trabaho ng ating mga kababayan,’ he said. “Nakita naman natin ang potential ng bamboo products it will create sustainable livelihood para sa mga beneficiaries,” he added.

With the assistance from DOLE, the beneficiaries who are mostly, carpenters, women, parents of child laborers and senior citizens will be provided with carpentry tools and other equipment such as blow torch and spoke shave for the enhancement of their respective projects.

“We aim for quality, durable and presentable products that could come at par with the standards of the national or even international market,” said Mayor Amboy, “the equipment we receive from DOLE will help the beneficiaries maintain superior products, create sustainable livelihood and will help continue our legacy as bamboo product producing municipality.”

The municipality of Maasin as co-partner will take charge in the monitoring and assessment of the projects.