Shy no More: Women Speak For the Peatland

They used to be silent. They neither complain nor speak despite the decades of abuse they are experiencing through the years. They are the lanipao (Terminalia copelandii), the grasses and sedges, the fishes, birds, wild pigs, among other inhabitants of the Leyte Sab-a Peatland Forest. They found an ally in the women from the community who have learned the value and function of the peatland to their lives and the environment.

Continuing consciousness-raising, reiterating the purpose of the peatland during the conduct of activities greatly helped In enhancing the knowledge of community members about this important ecosystem. Women folk who used to be passive recipients of the harvest of their husbands regardless of the manner by which they were hunted and gathered are now speaking about protecting the peatland. They are now aware that electrofishing or catching fishes using electricity should not be allowed anymore to save the threatened fish species in the area. The women are officers from the seven (7) farmers organizations in the peatland. Recently, they served as resource persons who oriented a delegation of officials from the National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Natural Resources who conducted benchmarking visit to the peatland. They also reported the occurrence of peat fires which happened several times during the dry season. These, they do while exploring entrepreneurial opportunities that can provide them skills and income. Those who were trained in soap making have already made and sold bars of bathsoap. More than 30 women underwent financial literacy training,

And this weekend, we will meet them again to explore the making of Christmas decor and gifts from indigenous materials as potential economic activity.