A homemaker in Sta. Fe, Bantayan survived typhoon Yolanda in 2013 and got back on her feet learning new skills as a mason.
Libertine Grace Derder used to eke out a living by making charcoal.
The 42-year-old from barangay Balidbid joined 14 other masons last week in presenting their finished products – toilet bowls, comfort rooms and septic tanks during the launch of the Baratong Kasilyas Showcase (Affordable Toilets) in Bantayan.
Derder underwent a skills test and masonry training for three months with the help of Oxfam, an international non-government organization (NGO).
The training is part of Oxfam’s post intervention for typhoon Yolanda survivors in Bantayan island focused on health and sanitation. The NGO obserrved that most households lacked toilets and comfort rooms in homes.
Do women make good masons?
“Yes, if you put in hard work and dedication then you can learn,” she told Cebu Daily News.
She explained how to make a concrete toilet bowl.
Form the toilet mold with cement and river sand. Two hours after, put final touches with sandpaper and a grinder. Then you can paint it any color you want, you want, Derder said.
In one day, Derder can make at least five toilet bowls which are priced at P300.
She can also do carpentry work to build a toilet shed in five days using local materials like nipa, plywood, earthblocks and woven bamboo panels (amakan).
“It depends on the customer what design they want,,” Derder said.
The price of the simple toilet shed depends on the materials used. One made of nipa or plywood would cost P11,900. Using amakan would cost P13,250.
It the shed uses plywood and concrete, it would cost a little more at P15, 450. An earthblock shed would cost P16,250.
The work includes the concrete ring, concrete slab flooring, toilet bowl and labor fees.
Making a septic tank would cost P7,100 to cover digging and building a two-chamber tank.
What her husband earns as a laborer isn’t enough to feed and support their four children, she said.
With her new skills as a mason, Derder said she’s in a better position to help her family.
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