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The LADCHA’s Inspiring Bamboo Experience

The Laguna de Cagayan Handicrafts Association (LADCHA) is another partner organization
benefitted from the technology on bamboo production. Organized in 2013, LADCHA is Success
presently working with 72 active members from barangays Alucao, Luga and Simbaluca
in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan. The association focuses on three activities namely: bakong loom
production, bamboo furniture production, and reforestation. Story
Mr. Ernesto Belen, the Association President, recounted how CSU introduced the technology
on bamboo propagation through the conduct of trainings in 2014. They received 700 bamboo
planting materials from CSU Gonzaga and propagated 1400 on their own to complete the 2400
seedlings planted in Luga National High School Campus and the area surrounding the Bangalao
Lake.
Today, the association is maintaining 12 hectares of bamboo plantation. Maintenance is scheduled
quarterly to clear grasses and trees that may damage the bamboo clumps.

“Napintas ta nabiyag mi dagita, saan kamintu nga aggatang-gatangen. Eighty-five percent met ti
nagbiyag, kadagiti inmula mi.” Mr. Belen said.

Association members will surely be benefitted from the bamboo they planted once they have matured.
Soon they will not have to buy raw materials for their furniture production. At present, they gather bamboo
shoot of Machiku for food. Mature poles are used for furniture and construction of kubo which are given
free for their members.

“Tatta dimmadakkel da ket saan mi unay daldalusan ti puon dan ta nu saan da nga nalaka alaen ti rabong na,”
he admitted with a wide smile.
LADCHA’s success story on bamboo production became possible with their dedication to improve their bamboo Ernesto Belen
plantation. They replanted bamboo and controlled harvesting activities in selected areas. They also involve their
children in the bamboo propagation which taught them to value bamboo. Today, these children also participate Handicraft Maker
in the greening projects of the municipality by planting bamboo seedlings. lAGUNA DE CAGAYAN

“Agyaman kami la unay ti adu ti CSU, ta nu awan ti CSU ket haan mi kuma natakwatan daytoy panagmula ti
bamboo. Isu nga dakkel ti naitulong na met kanyami ta uray pay haan kami pay naka-harvest,nu kitkitak tatta ket hANDICRAFTS
dagitoy lumugar nga pada nga awan ti igatang na ti masida ket isuda ti umuna nga nakinabang.” aSSOCIATION

Greening projects are steering here and there today, but LADCHA who started way ahead is now looking forward to
harvesting the fruits of their labor soon.
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