Handmade bags made of pandan leaf are some of the products made by urban poor families that are sold at the DSWD regional office in barangay Carreta, Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/JULIT JAINAR)
For those tired of wading through the crowd to buy that perfect gift at the mall, there are alternative gifts to explore made by hard up families trying to help themselves.
“These gifts are unique because they are all handmade,” said social worker Jimmy Crusio of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), where the items are displayed in their regional office in barangay Carreta, Cebu City.
There are handwoven baskets made by a family in Tabuelan town in northern Cebu, bags made of pandan leaves, office decor made of recycled materials, and wallets made from colored jute sacks.
“You are not just buying gifts for your loved ones or friends, but at the same time, you are helping our beneficiaries”, said Crusio, Community Driven Enterprise Development officer of DSWD’s sustainable livelihood program.
The SLP is a community-based program that provides livelihood to urban and rural poor families.
“We market their products. When their regular income is increased, somehow we lessen their financial burden,” Crusio said.
Woven baskets displayed at the DSWD-7 office are made by Bernando Montejo, an SLP beneficiary from Tabuelan.
The “patsan” baskets cost P100 to P350.
One can request Montejo to custom make a basket. Montejo has been weaving baskets for at least 15 years to support his family.
“Aside from farming, it has been the business of our family since 2000. I really hope that people would buy our products”, Montejo said.
Shoulder bags and backpacks made of pandan leaves are sold at P250 to P300.
Those looking for office decorations can also buy flower showpieces made of recycled materials like shells, dried leaves, old Christmas balls, plastic and Talisay seeds made and sold by beneficiaries from Bohol for P150.
Crusio said they’re inviting the public to buy these products made of recycled materials to help support these families.
Office worker Elizabeth Cutaran bought wallets made from rice sacks at P25 each for her workmates.
“At first, I was hesitant to give it to my workmates, but I realized that it doesn’t matter whether it is expensive or not. I know they would like my gift because it’s handmade and the quality is good”, Cutaran said.
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