E-KWENTO September 2018

W hat makes a livelihood project successful? Is it the profit it generates? Is it the number of people it employs? Is it the sales

and the continuous production?

In the heart of Barangay Ajong of Sibulan, Negros Oriental lies the Community Ajong Multipurpose Cooperative

(CAMPUCO). Composed of 136 members who are farmers and fisherfolks, the cooperative became a beneficiary of the DOLE

Integrated Livelihood Program in 2015 for a Bangus Production Project. Currently, they are raising the bar for livelihood projects as they

mix environmental preservation, people empowerment, and income generation into their Bangus Production Project, supported through

the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.

The Local Government Unit of Brgy. Ajong and the members of CAMPUCO started the bangus production

project in the hope of saving their environment from residents who keep on throwing their garbage

mercilessly on the riverbanks and mangrove areas. “Iyong mga taong nakatira malapit sa ilog, ginawa nila

itong tapunan ng basura”, said Brgy. Captain Virgilo P. Abueva Jr. of Brgy. Ajong.

Getting tired of the never-ending clean up drives and the lack of discipline among the residents, the

barangay officials and the members of the CAMPUCO searched for solutions to address the problem. When Brgy. Captain Abueva joined

the Lakbay Aral of Barangay Officials to Dapitan, Pangasinan he saw a natural fish pond that serves as an area for bangus production

and eco-tourism for the community. Right then, he thought that it is what the barangay needed to preserve the river and generate income

for its people. However, another problem occurred— lack of capital.

“Gusto naming makagawa ng natural fish pond para ma-maintain na rin ang environment.

Hindi ito magastos sa pagkain dahil kumakain ng mga lumot o algae ang mga isda. Pero

kulang ang kapital na mayroon ang mga miyembro. Kaya nag-submit ang CAMPUCO ng

project proposal sa DOLE”, Brgy. Captain Abueya mentioned.

Through the DOLE Negros Oriental Field Office and the Public Employment Service Office of

Sibulan, the cooperative was granted with an assistance for livelihood formation.

“Nakatanggap kami mula sa DOLE ng

Php 119, 600.00 in September 2015 for bangus

production. Bumili kami ng fingerlings, feeds,

posts, at mga nets”, said Ms. Chola Alaba,

Chairman of CAMPUCO.

“Mula noon, hindi na nagtatapon ng basura ang mga residente. Sumunod na sila sa ordinansa

ng barangay at natutuwa rin silang makita ang mga isda. Ang mga dating nag-tatapon dito,

katulong na rin naming magpakain ng mga isda at maglinis ng kapaligiran”, Mr. Abueva added.

Extending their efforts to further conserve their natural resources, the members of CAMPUCO

also conducted tree planting, clean-up drive, and backyard gardening.

On Environmental Preservation

CAMPUCO: From Farmers and Fisherfolks to Entrepreneurs and Environmental Stewards

Brgy. Captain Virgilo P. Abueva Jr

During the construction of the fish cages for the

project (Photo by CAMPUCO)

CAMPUCO members during their tree planting

activity (Photo by CAMPUCO)

Photo by CAMPUCO

E-KWENTO September 2018

A side from helping in environmental preservation, the project also generated

employment for the women, senior citizens, and other marginal fisherfolks

within the community. “Noong nakapag-trabaho na ako dito, nakatulong na

ako ng malaki sa aking pamilya. Katulong ako sa pagtatayo ng mga poste at

nets para sa mga isda. Ako rin ang nagpapakain at nagme-maintain. Sumasahod ako ng

Php 200.00 kada araw at kinsenas ang bigayan”, Mr. Franklin Navarro, 73 years old, and

a worker of CAMPUCO stated.

Ms. Alaba also shared how the project empowered the members as they attended capacity

building seminars provided by the DOLE and other supporting agencies. “Nakatulong ito sa

pag-capacitate ng mga miyembro namin dahil dumami ang mga training na natatanggap

namin. Na-empower din ang mga kababaihan na walang ginagawa sa bahay at limitado ang

kita ng asawa”, Ms. Alaba said. Involving both men and women in the activities, the project has

even mainstreamed equal opportunities and development for all.

T he Bangus Production of CAMPUCO allowed the members to have additional

income and investment. With their smooth operations and minimal expenses, the

members are able to harvest 400 kilos of bangus every three to four months and sell

their produce at a competitive price. “Para sa mga members, ipinagbibili namin ang

aming mga bangus sa halagang Php 90.00 to Php 100.00 per kilo. Para naman sa mga hindi

members, ipinagbibili namin ito sa halagang Php 110.00 to Php 120.00 per kilo. Umaabot sa

Php 29,000.00 ang aming net income kada-harvest.”, said Lorie L. Ogoc, Treasurer of

CAMPUCO.

What are their plans in the future? “Sa ngayon, pinapaikot namin ang aming kita at plano pa naming mapalaki ang aming production

area para gawing venue for agri-tourism. Gusto rin naming mag-venture sa fish processing. Nagsimula na rin kaming mag-alaga ng

tahong dahil nakikita namin ang market potential nito”, said Mr. Robert Navarro, Project Manager of the Bangus Production Project of

CAMPUCO.

With all the accomplishments and contributions to the community, the

members of CAMPUCO have been very proud of their project and labeled it

as 3-in-1. When we asked as to why it was called that way, Mr. Restituto

Aranas, Barangay Official and member of CAMPUCO said, “’Yung livelihood

namin, tinatawag naming 3-in-1. Bakit? Kasi one, may resource conservation.

Pangalawa, may livelihood sa mga members ng kooperatiba, dahil sa tulong

ng DOLE. Pangatlo, nakapag-generate ng employment sa aming barangay.

Kaya maraming salamat sa inyo, DOLE”.

The project has gained the appreciation of the DOLE Negros Oriental Field

Office who is equally grateful to the partners who made this project a

success.

Ms. Marites Mercado, Head of the Field Office said, “The LGU in Sibulan is

very supportive to us, including their PESO Manager. Sila ang tumutulong sa

amin at sumasama kapag nagsasagawa kami ng monitoring. We coordinate

with them and they are very supportive to our projects”. She knows that the

collective effort from partners plays a vital role in making this project

sustainable in the coming years.

For the members of CAMPUCO, Ms. Mercado also

said: “We thank you for supporting our program

and I hope that you will further sustain the project.

Just remain to be intact, strong, and transparent in

all of your transactions. If you need our assistance,

we are willing to help you. Also, if you are willing to

expand and will be needing support for

enhancement, the DOLE is ever ready to help out.”

EDITORIAL BOARD

Chairperson: Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla

Editor-in-Chief: Cielo C. Cabalatungan

Managing Editor:

Content :

404-3336, 527-5856, 527-3097 Telefax: 527-5858

mail@bwsc.dole.gov.ph

www.bwsc.dole.gov.ph

http://www.facebook.com/bwsc.dole

On People Empowerment

On Income Generation

Mr. Navarro feeding

the bangus

The members of CAMPUCO during their

assessment activity (Photo by CAMPUCO)

The bountiful harvest of CAMPUCO, ready for

distribution to market (Photo by CAMPUCO)

The BWSC Documentation Team, together with the personnel from

the DOLE Negros Oriental Field Office and CAMPUCO members

Ms. Marites Mercado, Head

of the DOLE Negros Oriental

Field Office