By Arnie C. Ocampo, NTFP-EP
Last 10 June was the first day of the Cambodian NTFP Development Organization (CANDO) study visit to Mindoro. We started the day at exactly 5:00 am; our trip from Manila to Batangas took about 4 hours.
As our feet first stepped on the pier of the City of Batangas, we all felt the excitement of a new experience – especially for those from CANDO because it was their first time to travel by boat! Our travel to Calapan City of an hour and a half hour was most enjoyable. We took a lot of photos especially of the small mountains and islands amidst chit-chat and getting to know each other. From Calapan City to Roxas City, it took us another 3 hours. Rex dela Pena, NTFP-TF Enterprise Development Officer, accompanied us on our one-hour trip to Mansalay. Once there, we got on to “Habal-habal” (motorcycles) and took the 45-minute ride to Bait.
Finally at about 4 pm, we arrived in Bait where we were warmly approached and greeted by the Mangyan community. We had a short orientation and introduced ourselves, including me! We capped the night with dinner prepared by the community in the light of lamps as there is no electricity as the area is very remote.
The next day, we had further sharing with the community. The community shared their history, origins, policies and their organizational structure. They also demonstrated how some of their products were made. CANDO also tried out their own skills by trying to make the crafts of this Mangyan community. Value Chain Analysis and some marketing strategies were discussed by the head member of the community. There were a lot of questions and discussions around community crafts enterprise management, production management, sales and marketing.
On the third day, Rex guided us to Paitan to visit another group called Maat. They started the presentation on their enterprise background, organizational structure, production management, sale and marketing, and problems they have been encountering. Products are mostly traditional baskets made of rattan, and bamboo furniture such as chairs. Some members showed us how they weave their traditional Tabud basket. I noticed that most of the enterprise members are men, but the leader is a woman!
We barely made it back to Calapan before 5 pm because of the availability of the “Roro.” On our journey back to Batangas, we were all fascinated and amazed to see some dolphins jumping and playing around our boat. We also enjoyed seeing the beautiful sunset in the horizon.
I must admit the excitement and fear I felt before our travel to Mindoro. Excitement because it will be an extremely new experience and fear because I was accountable for anything that could or might happen. I now realize that though it was very tiring, it was indeed a fulfilling experience where I have learned a lot and has left in me a strong admiration towards the communities we work with. lc_ocampo@yahoo.com
