Women and Children in the Bamboo Craft Villages of La Paz, Abra

Abstract

This study generally aimed to describe the status and involvement of women and children and the related local government support program in the community-based bamboo craft industries in La Paz, Abra. Women and children in the craft villages were weavers. Most of the women weavers were above middle-age housewives married to low-income farmers who are also engaged in the bamboo industry as an off-farm income source. Women are engaged with their craft only when there are big job orders from private entrepreneurs. Thefact that weaving is not a stable source of income, job satisfaction level is moderate. Membership to civic and social organizations was limited to the Rural Improvement Clubs. Most of the children weavers were of school age; however, they also help supply job orders. The children's aspiration level is high as evidenced by their diligence and determination to finish their studies. There are no specific government programs that help uplift the living condition of women and children in the craft villages. Some parts ofthe villages are not yet reached by electricity and modern communication facilities. The researchers recommend that a lead committee in the concerned local government unit be created to look into the business aspect of the bamboo industry especially to protect weaversfrom getting exploited by unscrupulous traders. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should help lookfor more stable market for bamboo products; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should put up a project on the propagation of bamboo and grass species; and the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) through the extension programs of its different academic units should conduct seminars to educate the village folks especially the women and children on sound financial management, health care, skills improvement and product training and development. These efforts will eventually uplift the status of the bamboo craft villages.