Way back in 1978, emptied paper bags of cocoa and cement were made into bags of various sizes by four enterprising women tagged as the"originals." It was a brisk home business turning in additional income for families with 5-8 members. The "originals" taught other mothers how to recycle the paper bags into baskets.
In 1985, the basket makers shifted to plastic sacks of cement and flour which are sturdier.The husband and children–making the project a family enterprise–sharing the tasks such as cleaning the sacks, cutting and folding and bundling the finished baskets in 10s.The basket-making business–through the years–continues to earn a hefty profit.
The basket makers cannot meet local demands so they look for ways to increase their production. The Rural Improvement Club of Zone Diamante, San Agustin with 62 members have asked from the DA LEAD program for financial assistance.
RIC (Rural Improvement Club) Diamante got start-up capital of P35,300. without collateral and interest. Seven of the club members were given P3,000 each. Other members of the club were extended capital for swine rising, poultry raising and rice production.
One of those who received P3,000 to buy additional raw materials is RIC member Salvacion Cailao and pay for the mortgage of another sewing machines. She has now three sewing machines, one of which is electrically driven.
Basket making is her family’s major source of income her husband income comes only if hired to do carpentry work. But Salve is not worried though: "Basket recyling enterprise is providing us enough income to answer family expenses and the education of our children who are in primary school and in college.
Salve produces daily 100 recycled baskets at 22 working days totals 2,200 baskets. Her production shoots up when there are bulk orders reaching to 500 pieces in which; in this case local sewers are hired to meet deadlines at P1.50 per basket, Salve is not affected because she already has her "suki" or regular customers.
Baskets for customers in the nearby markets of Partido, Pili, Naga, and Iriga City comes from San Agustin twice a week-every Thursday and Saturdays. The other RIC members engaged in basket-making –14 of them – have likewise benefited from the LEAD loan and like Salve were able to increase their production and derived additional income which has helped them afford life’s amenities like TV, refrigerator, stereo, and expenses for their children’s education. The project impacted not only the lives of the loan recipients but also the community for providing job opportunities to women in the barangay.
The members of RIC Diamante affirm "sa sikap at tiyaga" their aim of uplifting their living standards and contributing to the progress of their community will not be a lost dream.