Filipino women are making a great impact on the country's robust economic growth.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority data, the female labor force participation rate is 51.7%.[1] While some are engaged in white-collar jobs and are rising in management positions in the workplace, some have taken an entrepreneurial route, contributing to the local economic growth and development in the communities.
To support and empower women in rural communities, the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) organized the Kalipunan Ng Mga Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) throughout the country. KALIPI member-organizations received livelihood and technical assistance from the government and other development institutions operating in various provinces.
Keeping its goal of protecting the environment while empowering women, the HARIBON Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. or Haribon, began supporting KALIPI member-organizations in the municipalities of Real, Infanta and General Nakar (REINA) through their Women Go project, supported by the European Union.
The project hopes to increase rural women's influence in protected area governance. Specifically, it seeks to enhance women's capabilities to increase their participation within their families, and communities and to elevate their voice in protected area management.
The environmental aspect is a key component of Women Go. After all, Haribon is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the country’s diverse ecosystems and communities.[2]
Supporting biodiversity-friendly enterprises
In line with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ thrust in developing biodiversity-friendly enterprises (BDFEs) in protected areas in the Philippines, Haribon embarked on supporting women enterprises under the Women Go project. Haribon supported nine (9) KALIPIs in REINA, Quezon, which are under the areas of the Proclamation 1636 or widely known as PP 1636.[3]
As guidance to proceed with their objectives, a BDFE framework was developed, outlining the key steps to help the selected partner organizations:
- Environmental scanning to identify potential livelihood options available to the women’s groups.
- Scoring using the 4 BDFE principles/criteria :
- Ecologically sound
- Economically viable
- Equitability
- Enterprise Policy Climate
- Developing a Feasibility Study for those potential livelihood options that satisfy the 4Es criteria. This includes analyses of the market, production, management, and finance.
- Formulating a Business Plan and a Local Conservation Agreement composed of the results of the feasibility study that should be supported by a local conservation agreement (LCA). A LCA is an agreement of parties involved in the implementation of the livelihood/enterprise. It should be signed by the implementing partners of the enterprise.
- Resource Mobilization, Generation, and Partnership Building. This involves organizing a funders’ forum, fund accessing, and galvanizing commitments.
- Capability Building on Selected Enterprise | Livelihood to enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KAS) of the partner women organizations on BDFE operations.
- Livelihood | Enterprise Implementation is initiated according to the approved business plan.
- Monitoring and Evaluation. A regular monitoring and assessment is done to ensure timeliness of business operation, document and report progress of the enterprise.
While these are being implemented, Haribon works hand in hand with the enterprises in managing conservation efforts to ensure livelihood sustainability while protecting the environment.
Going beyond the gender stereotypes: Inspiring stories of women-led enterprises
Before the creation of KALIPIs, most women are confined to common stereotypical gender roles as housewives such as taking care of children and cleaning the house. But through empowerment and livelihood participation, they became leaders in their own communities, capable of inspiring others to do better.
1. The crunchy goodness of success
The KALIPI Magsaysay 12 (KM12) was organized in 2015 to promote women’s participation and empowerment. Because the barangay is a cassava and sweet potato-producing community, KM12 started a cassava chip processing as a value-adding product to generate income among its women members.
Through the Women Go project, they secured a P25,000 grant to start their business in 2022. It was called Dozenian Healthy Cassava Chips.
In just a year of BDFE operation, they generated revenue of almost P40,000. They also employed some of its members in food processing, contributing to employment generation in the community.
“It was good that we have a partnership with the Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG) trained us to improve our product,” KM12 member Aidel Babiera said.
Another outcome of the project’s support was their conservation activities. Planting of native-tree species in the protected area and clean-up drives were regularly conducted in their barangay.
2. Giving voice to the voiceless
Founded in 2011, the KALIPI Purok Marang was created by the Municipal Social Welfare Department (MSWD) Office of Infanta. As part of a bigger KALIPI Federation in Infanta, Quezon, it aims to empower women and persons with disabilities in Purok Marang, Barangay Gumian, in livelihood and social development.
Women and PWDs were empowered with technical knowledge and skills to develop other income sources. They were also provided an avenue to enhance their leadership skills and participation in community development.
The group initially started producing coco jam as one of their first means of livelihood. Since Quezon province is a major coconut producer, they have the necessary resources to start the business. KALIPI sourced their coconut cream among its women farmer-members cultivating coconuts in the area. Instead of throwing coconut husks as waste, they processed it into ropes and other by-products.
In addition to selling their coco jams in barangay Gumian, they participate in trade fairs and exhibitions in other towns in Real, Quezon.
However, KALIPI has difficulty sustaining its operations because of financial difficulties and a lack of a reliable market. It also did not help that the road widening activity led to the closure of their pasalubong center / display store where they sell their coco jams.
After their reorganization with the support from the Haribon Foundation in 2021, KALIPI was able to revive its coco jam operations. It then expanded its line of business with oyster mushroom production. These oyster mushrooms can be sold and made into products such as soup and chips. The business is managed by its deaf and mute members, who are knowledgeable in producing such commodities.
Currently, KALIPI Gumian is led by Madelyn Dilla, who also heads the coco jam production. She’s been making these products since 2022 as an alternative source of income for her family. She then guided KALIPI Gumian by turning it into an enterprise for their members.
For her kids to finish school, Madelyn’s husband must take on different jobs like rice farming, security guard, and carpenter. Madelyn ventured into coco jam making, not wanting her husband to shoulder all the burden. For now, four of Madelyn’s seven children graduated college. Three of them are now licensed teachers.
Seeing how her coco jam business changed her life, Madelyn had her business integrated into a KALIPI program. Women like her now have an alternative source of income.
As their coco jam grew, KALIPI Gumian found another way to generate income and help their PWD members through oyster mushroom production. Through training, five deaf-mute members were able to learn oyster mushroom production.
3. From waste to wealth
Girlie C. Laviña, 51, is a housewife before being a member of KALIPI Infanta. When the enterprise started its sustainable sewing initiative, she actively joined the operation, helping the organization beyond the matters of enterprising.
“I actively participated in the planning of our organization, especially in marketing our products. I learned that it is hard to seek financial support, but we rely on improving our own capacity.” Girlie said.
KALIPI Infanta is one of the largest KALIPI organizations in Quezon, with over 800 members. To generate extra income for its members while helping in the town's conservation efforts, the organization began its sewing business, repurposing discarded textiles and clothes into sustainable materials.
KALIPI Infanta launched a campaign of collecting old clothes and discarded textiles to support LGU Infanta’s policy on solid waste management. These waste materials were turned into tote bags, curtains, pot holders and foot rugs. Partners were also quick to lend their support. The local government provided sewing equipment worth P50,000. Haribon and the Quezon Electric Cooperative II also pitched in financial assistance of P50,000 and P25,000, respectively.
“I was trained to develop my skills in sewing. Another important experience is my involvement in environmental conservation ranging from tree planting, in partnership with other agencies and reducing solid waste from used clothes, broken glasses and bottles,” KALIPI Infanta member Zenaida Nolledo said.
In 2023, the efforts have paid off for the enterprise: 1,153 pieces of tote bags, 747 pieces of foot rugs, and 190 curtains were produced, earning a total profit of P 135,055. The KALIPI also ventured into brick-making, which generated almost P20,000 income in partnership with LGU Infanta.
The profits from both businesses helped increase the number of sewers and expand their market base.
“Through these BDFEs, I hope our organization will further expand its operations and membership” Cristina Luna, Chairwoman of KALIPI Infanta said.
4. Spicing up a fledgling industry
While ginger is a staple spice in Filipino kitchens, it is also known for its medicinal purposes, primarily to prevent colds and inflammation. Thus, the KALIPI General Nakar Federation added value to the ginger they are planting.
With support from the Women Go project, the organization started its herbal and organic ginger tea and candies production. Haribon provided a P50,000 grant support as a seed fund for their business. As of December 2023, the project processed and sold 478 packs of luya salabat with a gross sale of P21,330.00.
5. From brooms to boom
Another enterprise in General Nakar has found a way to create additional income for women in their town. The KALIPI Sitio Cablao, with its 66 members, started utilizing tiger grass in their community to create brooms or “walis tambo.” Broom is a standard cleaning tool for Filipinos, used in schools, hospitals, and common households.
Through the Women Go project, the KALIPI Sitio Cablao obtained P50,000 financial support, with the local government pitching in P36,000 for capacity building activities, which led to organization’s improved performance and productivity.
6. Going organic
Farming has been a way of life and the primary income source for the barangay community in Tanauan, Real, Quezon. However, poverty has caused these forest-dependent families (FDFs) to resort to destructive practices such as kaingin, which reduces soil fertility and leads to deforestation.
When the government began cracking down illegal activities, these FDFs made a 360-degree shift with the help of the Haribon and KALIPI Tanauan.
The FDFs started their organic vegetable farm with a seed capital of P50,000 from Haribon. They contributed addressing issues related to food security, livelihood, and environmental conservation. Because of the rise of the demand for healthier options for food, their organic vegetable produce can have a readily available market.
Other local farmer organizations have provided training to help Tanauan farmers improve their organic farming. The local government has also provided a rice-selling business as an alternative source of income.
7. Sweet success of women-led chocolate factory
Cacao is considered an essential commodity in the country. According to the Department of Agriculture, the industry can contribute to fight against poverty through employment generation and livelihood.[4] There is still a significant global demand for chocolate, and prices have skyrocketed over the years.
With its potential, some enterprises have ventured into production and marketing. In Real, Quezon, a women-led enterprise is cashing in on the demand. The KALIPI Real Women’s Federation began its cacao production and processing operations in line with the thriving tourism industry in the area.
Through the P50,000 grant support from the Women Go project of Haribon, they produced tablea chocolates, which were sold for more than P88,000. The profit was used for their support activities that help protect the environment, including waste segregation, public awareness campaigns on environmental protection, and clean-up drives in their respective barangays.
KALIPI Real’s business has a lot of potential. Media organizations, including TV station Net 25, have featured its product. Their markets have also expanded to other countries, thanks to the support from the local government of Real and other development institutions.
8. KUMARE: Livelihood binds a neighborhood
When Typhoon Teresa hit Real Quezon in 1994, the damage was so severe that development organizations immediately sent relief operations and spearheaded rehabilitation efforts in the province. The Sisters of Zion, a Catholic-based organization, led the rehabilitation efforts during this period.
Because of the outpouring support, additional funds were used to build an organization working to empower women. The organization is known today as Kilos Unlad Mamamayan ng Real or KUMARE Inc.
The organization started as a microfinance institution to help the poor in Real. Twenty-six years later, the vision stays alive for KUMARE, as they sought additional means of livelihood for its members.
Through the support of the Women Go project of Haribon, they expanded their enterprise and started processing catmon, kamias, and santol as organic and healthy delicacies. Products such as “sinantol” have reached other areas of Quezon and even Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, they also thrived in their bountiful supply of kamias. Ten of their members profited from selling their harvest, while others gained income from processing the goods and selling them in the market. Members also planted kamias trees and clean-up drives that benefit the environment.
9. Transforming communities through conservation and livelihood
Barangay Cawayan in Real Quezon is rich in natural resources both land and sea. Because of these advantages, the community has ventured into farming and fishing for decades. But like other communities, people have resorted to destructive practices to earn more income and feed their families because of limited livelihood opportunities.
Since these practices are unsustainable, some groups made a 360-degree turn from destruction to conservation. One of them is the KALIPI Cawayan. The organization was established in 2021 with a roadmap to uplift women's lives while protecting the environment—truly the essence of the Women Go project.
With this direction, the organization ventured into lemongrass processing. The community has been harvesting and selling lemongrass for years, and this new livelihood is expected to add more income to the members of the KALIPI.
Called CaReal tea, this product was created by the women members of the organization. They were able to produce 652 packs of tea, with a total profit of P45,650. It also helped 20 of their members earn income by selling 300 pieces of 10 packs of the tea, helping them in their daily needs.
True to their mission, KALIPI Cawayan also conducts regular clean-up drives and waste segregation activities in their community, helping the environment in the process.
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[1] https://neda.gov.ph/statement-of-neda-secretary-arsenio-m-balisacan-on-2024-international-womens-day/#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20priority,them%20with%20more%20economic%20opportunities.
[2] https://haribon.org.ph/
[3] The Proclamation 1636 declared a certain parcel of land in the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Quezon, island of Luzon as a national park, wildlife sanctuary and game preserve.
[4] Department of Agriculture, 2017 - 2022 Philippine Industry Roadmap, 2018
[1] https://neda.gov.ph/statement-of-neda-secretary-arsenio-m-balisacan-on-2024-international-womens-day/#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20priority,them%20with%20more%20economic%20opportunities.
[2] https://haribon.org.ph/
[3] The Proclamation 1636 declared a certain parcel of land in the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Quezon, island of Luzon as a national park, wildlife sanctuary and game preserve.
[4] Department of Agriculture, 2017 - 2022 Philippine Industry Roadmap, 2018
