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