How this town in Laguna is turning water lily pests into sustainable products | DigiDokyu - video Dailymotion

GMA Integrated News

Ang mga water hyacinth, o mas karaniwang tinatawag na water lily, ay peste kung ituring ng marami.  Pero sa Pila, Laguna at iba pang kalapit-bayan nito, isa itong pagkakataon para kumita.   Alamin ang kuwento kung paano naging isang mayabong na industriya ang paggawa ng mga produktong mula sa water lily sa Climate+ series ng #DigiDokyu!

Transcript

00:00We saw the potential of Watolili, not only in us, but also in giving us a source of income.

00:15The Watolili that provides us with work helps us to finish our studies.

00:21If we regularly harvest the Watolili, our rivers will be cleaner.

00:31At the same time, you can create livelihoods for our countrymen.

00:51My business started in 2008.

01:04I started in Sandyario.

01:06The name Rollo Lika came from the role of Rollo.

01:10We make baskets and bags.

01:13But in 2009, we had an earthquake.

01:19Our countrymen had a huge problem, especially here in Pinagbayanan.

01:25The reason for the flood is the Watolili.

01:30Millions of Watolili were destroyed in all the valleys.

01:34The same thing happened in Pangpang, Laguna de Bay,

01:38where our fish and pork farmers lost their jobs because of the Watolili.

01:43Water hyacinth

01:48Water hyacinth is commonly seen in Laguna de Bay.

01:55But experts say that this is water hyacinth.

02:00But most Filipinos know or call it water lily.

02:05Why does water hyacinth have an extreme temperature?

02:09One of the reasons is the extreme heat that we are experiencing right now because of the climate change.

02:14It can last longer in hot weather.

02:19So when it's in extreme heat, the rapid growth of our water hyacinth is faster.

02:26Water hyacinth obstructs the flow of water to our rivers and lakes.

02:33Because the thick water hyacinth obstructs the flow of our water.

02:39And because of this, when it rains heavily or there is a storm,

02:46it can flood.

02:49One of the negative effects of water hyacinth in our water,

02:54such as rivers and lakes, is the decrease of biodiversity.

03:00One of the major reasons why biodiversity is decreasing in our ecosystem,

03:08whether it's terrestrial or aquatic, is biological alien invasions.

03:18Because of this, there are no natural enemies to water hyacinth.

03:23There are no predators, parasites, or disease-causing organisms that can control and regulate its population.

03:32That's why the population of water hyacinth is declining.

03:35And besides this, because water hyacinth is an invasive species,

03:40it has features that we cannot see in our native aquatic plants.

03:46Because my skills are limited when it comes to controlling water hyacinth,

03:52we started with place mats.

03:54Place mats, coasters, small coin pours, and simple bags.

04:16Being a negotiator is not just to earn money for yourself,

04:21for your family, but also for your community.

04:24So as the community gets involved, the potential of water hyacinth increases.

04:28So you need power.

04:30You need the people around us.

04:32From harvesting water lily, to drying water lily,

04:36to producing water lily products.

04:47Water hyacinth

04:53I look at the length. I don't measure it.

04:56I measure the length. That's what I get.

04:58That's how long it is.

05:00When I measure it, I don't get it.

05:02I choose it. I measure it.

05:07When it starts at 7am, I get up at 10am.

05:11Then, when it's time to bathe, I cut it into small pieces.

05:16I cut each piece into small pieces.

05:20I soak it in hot water to dry it.

05:23Water lily is also a big help to me.

05:26Sometimes, it helps me.

05:29When there's no wind, you can't go fishing.

05:33If you grow water lily, you'll definitely make a profit.

05:36You'll make a profit.

05:41Water lily

05:45We get our livelihood.

05:49We're happy.

05:51But we have to take care of our income.

05:57We have to take care of ourselves.

05:59We don't have any other source of income.

06:03That's why we have to take care of ourselves.

06:05We don't have any other source of income.

06:10That's why we have to take care of ourselves.

06:14If we have P100 or P200,

06:18we can afford to buy food.

06:23If we don't have water lily,

06:25we won't be able to go fishing.

06:28We don't have anything to give.

06:32We don't have any other source of income.

06:34That's why we have to take care of ourselves.

06:43When we harvest water lily,

06:47we wash it before we plant it.

06:50Now, it takes a long time for it to dry.

06:55It takes a week or a month for it to dry.

07:00That's why it's hard for us to survive.

07:03When the weather is good,

07:05we can make good money.

07:11P100 is P25.

07:14P1,000 is P250.

07:17That's P1,000.

07:19That's the total amount of water lily.

07:22That's why sometimes we split it.

07:24They do it.

07:25When the weather is good, it dries.

07:27That's why we split it.

07:31Sometimes, I also do handicrafts.

07:34When I started doing handicrafts in Manila,

07:39I worked with nylon.

07:41I lost my job.

07:43I worked there for 25 years.

07:45When I lost my job,

07:47this came to my mind.

07:49I remember,

07:51when I had a million water lilies,

07:54I threw all of them into the river.

07:56All of them drowned.

07:58We poured water on them.

08:00But they didn't drown.

08:02We continued doing handicrafts.

08:06That's why I'm very thankful.

08:08That's why I'm very thankful.

08:20Sir Emil and I

08:22started doing handicrafts.

08:25That's how we started.

08:27We started looking for a job.

08:32I can make three water lilies in one day.

08:35It depends on the size.

08:37If it's this small,

08:39I can make 250.

08:41If it's medium, I can make 300.

08:43If it's large, I can make 350.

08:45It's a big help.

08:47We don't have a boss.

08:49It's just us.

08:51This is enough for us.

08:53It helps us every day.

08:55We don't have to work.

08:57We don't have to work.

08:59We don't have to work.

09:01We don't have to work.

09:03We can make flowers.

09:05We can make flowers.

09:07We can make flowers.

09:09We do it every day.

09:15Our house used to be small.

09:17Our house used to be small.

09:19Now it's like this.

09:21Now it's like this.

09:23Even if it's not finished,

09:25at least we added something.

09:27at least we added something.

09:29I also finished a child.

09:32They are proud because even if they just do waterlily,

09:35they are able to finish it.

09:37They are able to complete their college.

09:41Even if it's just this, we don't have any other income.

09:46As in, it's just waterlily.

09:51Product development is important for us to be able to be on the same train or on our market today.

09:56The training and skills that DTI has given us,

09:59that is what we are returning to our community.

10:02This is where I saw the potential of production.

10:05You won't be able to produce products if you are the only one.

10:10It's really very overwhelming.

10:13Because the creativity of our local artisans,

10:18we gave them more impetus.

10:22We gave them support.

10:24We started assisting the water hyacinth or this waterlily industry way back in 2008.

10:32Because at that time, there was a global economic crisis, financial crisis.

10:37So when I asked, I consulted with my provincial directors,

10:42what is the best project to address labor displacement,

10:49particularly here in Laguna.

10:52So among the proposals that I chose,

10:59I chose the water hyacinth industry.

11:02Because of the Department of Trade and Industry and other government agencies,

11:07our waterlily is slowly becoming known and acceptable to our countrymen,

11:11even in local and international markets.

11:23Most of our products come from the memory of the waterlily.

11:28That's where we got to know the waterlily.

11:32And that's where we formed a community where we are all equal.

11:36And we are happy with what we do.

11:38The waterlily is really durable and beautiful.

11:43And it's popular. It's easy to sell.

11:47And it's popular. It's easy to sell.

11:50And it's made by Mr. Renel.

11:53He is the one who teaches us here.

11:58Our waterlilies, not only us, but also our mothers, out-of-school youth,

12:04our seniors who are just at home earning,

12:08at the same time, they are learning how to make products.

12:12Our PWDs and students who are studying and want to earn

12:17at the same time can help their parents

12:20so that they don't have to spend money for their studies.

12:29My brother came here.

12:31And when he left, when I lost my job, he brought me here.

12:37I do everything.

12:39If I do a good job, it's not just because of me.

12:43I have someone to rely on.

12:49First, I made kakayas.

12:52Then, bags, frying pans, handles.

12:57Then, trapeze, crazy cart.

13:00I learned everything here.

13:06I learned a lot.

13:08I can't go to school anymore because I have a child.

13:21You can make tirintas.

13:23You can make lubid.

13:25And when you make lubid, you can make it into slippers,

13:28basket, bags, wall decor.

13:31And you can share that knowledge with them.

13:33Don't be greedy.

13:34You have to share your talent.

13:37When I learned, he let me work at home.

13:41He brings me products.

13:44I don't have to pay anymore.

13:46When it's done,

13:48he says, sir, the products are done.

13:51We'll pick them up.

13:53We'll pay at the same time.

13:55I don't have to struggle with our daily chores.

13:59My children, they continue to watch me.

14:03When I was on vacation,

14:05I said, we'll make something to eat.

14:10When we don't have much to do at school

14:14or when we don't have classes,

14:16I make handicrafts here.

14:20Especially now that I'm on vacation,

14:23I have time to focus on making water lilies

14:27and I can help my mom.

14:31I want to finish school

14:33so I don't have to burden my mom.

14:45I know that it's hard to be alone in life

14:49when you don't have anyone.

14:53Some people say that water lilies are garbage

14:56and they don't know

14:58that there are a lot of people

15:01who are helping their families

15:04with their water lilies.

15:10This is a big business.

15:12First, I can help my mom,

15:15my cousins, and my nieces.

15:18I can provide for them.

15:20That's why I help them with their water lilies.

15:23They say that water lilies are garbage

15:25and they don't know

15:27that there are a lot of people

15:29who are helping their families

15:31with their water lilies.

15:34I am very thankful for water lilies

15:37because it's my job

15:39and it helps my family.

15:41It gives jobs to our countrymen

15:43and to our community.

15:45Most of all, it helps our environment.

15:58Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:01Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:04Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:07Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:10Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:13Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:16Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:19Water lilies are a part of our community.

16:21Water lilies are a part of our community.

How this town in Laguna is turning water lily pests into sustainable products | DigiDokyu

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