Socio-economic Contributions of Gaswiling Bamboo Crafters Association (GABACA) to its Members

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the situation of the Gaswiling Bamboo Crafters Association and to see if bamboo making can give or can generate income to its members of the association; the demographic profiles of the members of the GABACA; practices on bamboo craft-making, identify the socio-economic contributions gained by the members from the association; and to determine the problems encountered by the members relative to their membership to the GABACA. Twenty respondents were chosen. A survey questionnaires and personal interview were used to gather the data. Majority of the respondents were females and married. The result indicates that female respondents are interested in the bamboo craft industry. All of them were at between 48 -78 years old. All the respondents have gone to school but only few are college graduates. Accordingly, bamboo craft-making is considered as their part time job which provides additional financial support for the family aside from vegetable production. Most of the respondent’s sources of raw materials are their own produced. The bamboo products are fruit trays and they sell it as well-finished with paint and with designs. The socio-economic contributions of the GABACA to its members are it develops management capability and improves their income. The main problems encountered by the GABACA members are limited market outlet of products and lack access to quality and affordable planting materials of bamboo.