Philippine E-Journals

Metalcraft Livelihood Enterprise Development of the University of Northern Philippines

Manuel A. Bajet Jr. | Marciana p. De Vera

 

Abstract:

Metalcraft and Livelihood Enterprise Development of the University of Northern Philippines was implemented through its Extension Services Office focused on trainings to farmers, out-of school youth, and adults in rural communities in the province of Ilocos Sur, to enhance their creativity and skills in metal craft production. Areas included in the project were Vigan City, Sta. Maria, San Emilio, Sto. Domingo, Lidlidda and Santiago. The prime intension of having this program was to provide cooperators a lucrative business opportunity and become local entrepreneurs rather than migrating to urban areas or even working abroad. The program has been funded by the government of Spain through Ahencia Española Cooperacion Incorporada. A total of P2,002,093.07 has been provided and was used to train cooperators or beneficiaries of the project and used for the acquisition of tools and equipments used in the implementation of the project. A total of 53 cooperators were trained for three months. Trainings focused on production and reproduction, maintenance and repair of steel windows, grills, fences, gates, low cost nonmechanized agricultural rice tracer, plow, and the other farm implements. To ensure sustainability of the project implemented, the University organized the cooperators to form an association and had it registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For the association to operate as an enterprise, the STEAM-Municipal Science Technology Application Project (MSTAP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provided them a seed capital with zero interest. Further, project cooperators borrowed complete tools and equipment for them to use in starting of their own livelihood projects with the assistance of the Agencia Española Cooperacion Incorporada. For the sustainability of the project, a memorandum of agreement was crafted and signed between the University and the cooperators. The project through the different associations had been able to achieved an average gross sale of P530,000 per quarter and having an average net income of P40,000.00 per quarter. Among the seven (7) livelihood organizations, the Gray Metalcraft Livelihood Association was noted for generating higher sales and income.