Abstract:
The water lily weaving livelihood started out as a small-scale livelihood project in 2005 to help mostly the unemployed but expanded as the years went by supporting more than 200 families in Las Pinas City currently. This project sprouted from the rivers being clogged up by water hyacinths that caused floods during heavy rains. Water lilies were then harvested from the rivers, and were made into baskets, bags, slippers, and other decorative items.
The water lily weaving industry has brought a positive impact on the residents living near the rivers of Las Pinas earning the project both local and international acclaim. Although residents and the local government perceive the creation of the water lily weaving industry as a positive income boost, the significance of the actual income increase is questionable. What is the actual increase in income of the Las Pinas residents involved in water lily weaving prior to their former livelihood? Is the change significant to make their lives better?
The respondents of this study were from Barangays Talon Dos and CAA. More than half of the respondents were male and were able to graduate from high school. More than 30 percent had a family of 5-6 members. Age ranged from 17 to 52. Less than 20 percent were unemployed while the rest took up various jobs before the water lily weaving livelihood project started.
Before the water lily weaving, a family of 3-4 made an average of P3.875 monthly while a family of 5-6 made P3.525. The average monthly income of a family with 7-8 members was P3181.80, while a family of 9-10 had a monthly income of P4, 500.Lastly, a family who had more than 10 members made an average of P3.833.33 a month. After the water lily weaving started, a family of 3-4 made an average monthly income of P 5,141.67 while a family with 5-6 members earned an average of P 5,793.75 a month. A family with 7-8 members had an average monthly income of P 4,636.36, while a family of 9-10 made an average of P 5,937.5 a month. Lastly, families with more than ten members earned an average of P 5,500 a month.
The average income increase is about P1, 618.83 after the conception of the water lily weaving livelihood project. Based on IBON estimates, an NCR-based family needs P957 per day to live decently. With this figure, it is evident that the income increase experienced by the water lily weavers is not significant enough to contribute to the achievement of a decent living. In essence, the livelihood of the residents is not improved. They are still vulnerable to the stresses and shocks of the changing political, economic, and socio-cultural circumstances which is in contrast to what a sustainable livelihood should be.
