I-Witness: Kawayang Pangarap, REFLECTION PAPER

Despite having enough resources to get them by, the people lack manpower and means of
transportation to the point that they push themselves beyond the limit and even the kids had to set aside
play time to help their parents. There was also an unnoticeable abuse on the soil where they harvest
bamboo. Bamboo is a fast-growing crop that is very suitable for their condition. However, it is not
beneficial for them in the long run. They also lack education, perhaps because they had to prioritize
making their ends meet rather than securing a better future.

Surely, bamboo is not the only crop growing in the forest that can be utilized in production; and if
it is, the land is clearly large enough and nutrient-sufficient to have new types of species of crops.
Bamboo has been proven effective for intercropping according to many studies conducted and shade-
loving plants are mostly compatible. If intercropping is not feasible, they can venture on exploiting the
shoots for commercial use or personal consumption. It is also possible to start a timber production in the
forest, although it will demand more manpower and means of transportation. Lastly, it was also found
through articles that there are livestock that feed on some parts of the bamboo (chickens feed on shoots,
cows/horses feed on foliage, goats feed on the parts that are still young) and since the place is not entirely
of trees—the community near the forests—they can be the ones to grow livestock while farming for
bamboo wood.

Government agencies, LGUs, and all forestry groups alike are the ones who can help them
change their lives completely for the better. These are situations that needs the involvement of a third
party who have the capability to full on lend a hand and resolve all the issues that’s been keeping them
stuck and far from relief. All that they’ve been trying to solve are the issues at hand, which is only for a
short time. These agencies are here for the long-term solutions that can turn their lives upside down.
There is no need for an entire change in source of living. Change is not always a solution. In this case,
they only needed to utilize & manage the use of their resources through the maximized use of bamboo as
wood and food

Certainly, there are similar issues to this that a lot of indigenous communities suffer in, perhaps
even worse. What they need isn’t just constant assurance that help will come their way but relentless
action to help them get back on their feet and guide them to become better caretakers of nature.