Empowering lives through bamboo handicrafts: DTI Isabela’s workshop brings hope and skills to PDLs in Cauayan City | Department of Trade and Industry Philippines

Cauayan City, Isabela— In a remarkable initiative, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 – Isabela Provincial Office, in collaboration with Quirinian Youth in Action (QYA) and Artistic Bamboo Crafts and Design, hosted a transformative two-day Product Development Workshop on Bamboo Handicrafts Making. Held at the Cauayan City District Jail in Cabaruan, the workshop aimed to empower members of the Rotary Community Corps of Cauayan City Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RCCCCMPC) and the jail’s adopted Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

Originally designed for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), the workshop was extended to include PDLs at the behest of the RCCCCMPC. This extension, part of the cooperative’s Community Social Responsibility (CSR) program, underscores a commitment to rehabilitation and skill-building for incarcerated individuals. By including PDLs, the cooperative aims to provide ongoing support through additional training sessions and by integrating their handicrafts with those produced by cooperative members for community marketing.

𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝

The workshop was a hive of creativity and learning as participants crafted eleven unique bamboo handicrafts. Facilitated by Ms. Mary Rose M. Dumpit, CPA – Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist (STIDS) / Product Development Focal Person, Ms. Emma Jane P. Domingo – Trade Industry Development Specialist (TIDS) / Bamboo Focal Person, Ms. Frechel D. Umaguing – Negosyo Center Junior Business Counselor (NCBC) Cauayan City, and Mr. Leumer M. Viernes – Trade Industry Development Specialist (TIDS) / Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), the event brought together a wealth of expertise and dedication.

Expert trainers Mr. Jhonly R. Cacho, Mr. Beniedick G. Bacud, and Mr. John Paul A. Bacao from Quirinian Youth in Action (QYA) and Artistic Bamboo Crafts and Design lent their skills and knowledge, ensuring participants gained valuable insights into bamboo craftsmanship.

𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮

This initiative is more than just a workshop; it’s a beacon of hope and empowerment for RCCCCMPC members and their adopted PDLs. By equipping them with valuable skills, the program enables participants to diversify their product offerings and promote the sustainable use of the community’s abundant bamboo resources. Importantly, the project also provides PDLs with livelihood opportunities, offering a chance for sustainable income during incarceration and potential careers post-release.

The workshop aligns seamlessly with Cauayan City’s commitment to promoting bamboo as a sustainable resource, fostering new avenues for income generation, and supporting the local economy through skill development. The collaborative efforts of DTI Region 2 – Isabela, QYA, and Artistic Bamboo Crafts and Design highlight the power of community engagement and sustainable development. This workshop not only provided immediate benefits in terms of skill acquisition but also laid the foundation for long-term economic empowerment and environmental stewardship in Cauayan City.

𝘼 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚

The success of this workshop is a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives. It exemplifies how skill-building and sustainable practices can create pathways to a brighter future, even for those facing the challenges of incarceration. Through the unwavering support and collaboration of DTI Region 2 – Isabela, QYA, and Artistic Bamboo Crafts and Design, this initiative has sparked a new sense of purpose and possibility for all participants.

As the bamboo handicrafts created during the workshop begin to find their way into the market, they will stand as symbols of resilience, creativity, and the enduring human spirit. The DTI Region 2-Isabela’s workshop is more than an event; it’s a movement towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and empowered community.

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