Maasin, Iloilo – The Philippine Bamboo or Kawayan is proving to be a virtual gold mine for the rural poor in the different towns of Iloilo Province.
In the heart of this city, specifically in the residential compound of the Mayor of Maasin, Macario Malones, is a multi-million facility which turns green bamboo into millions of chopsticks, barbecue sticks and toothpicks every month.
“I can’t cope up with the order,” said Mayor Malones whose bamboo processing facility is a private family business which undeniably benefits not only the poor families in his town but in other parts of Iloilo Province as well.
He said the toothpicks and chopsticks produced in his bamboo products factory could only supply less than 5% of the national requirements.
The chopsticks are delivered to Chinese restaurants in Metro Manila, the barbecue sticks go to Mang Inasal while the toothpicks are a hit in all restaurants because of the quality of the bamboo.
Mayor Malones said his town has about 600 hectares of bamboo farms but these hardly produce enough bamboos for the needs of the factory.
Green bamboos are bought for P60 per pole and the price gives good income to farmers because bamboos are very resilient and they grow fast especially in river banks.
What I saw gave me an idea on what to do in other parts of the country, especially in communities near river banks threatened by floods and soil erosion.
The planting of bamboos could be introduced in these communities not only to address flooding and soil erosion but to provide good income to rural folks.
Actually, people have been telling me about the potentials of bamboo farming but I did not realise its full potentials are a source of income for rural poor until I saw the Maasin, Iloilo bamboo factory.
Indeed, travel is the best teacher.
(Photos by Gian Carlo Luage and Allan Jay Jacalan, Biyaheng Bukid Team, DA-AFID. First photo downloaded downloaded from public website.)
More Stories
Practical Farming: Turn Used Plastic Containers Into Life-Time Laying Nests!
Super Bulb Onion Grown In Alamada, North Cotabato
Kapehan With Pareng Gob