The Dayawan Handmade Paper is a livelihood project of the San Roque GK Kapitbahayan, Inc. a non-stock, non-profit organization in the municipality of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Popularly known by its short name San Roque GK, the group is composed of 32 families organized by the Couples for Christ (CFC) under the auspices of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) program. It is supported by the STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI), the government of Villanueva and Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA).

Before they were organized, the families were living in Barangay Balacanas. In 2003, prior to the construction of the210-MW coal-fired power plant in Balacanas by SPI, they were relocated to San Roque Village in BarangayDayawan, where they were given decent housing and comprehensive assistance in health, education, spirituality, skills enhancement, and various livelihood projects.

One of the livelihood projects is handmade paper production, an alternative to the Integrated Farming System that was introduced earlier. It was taught in November 2004 to 10 women, who learned how to create handmade paper from abaca fiber, and using the sheets of paper to make artistic cards, jewelry boxes, penholders, and other items.

The Dayawan Handmade Paper eventually expanded and improved its designs with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP), the Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. (APFTI), and freelance consultants.

The first products made by San Roque GK was a collection of corporate Christmas cards and gift tags, which were sold to SPI in December 2004. But in 2005, they exported to Germany about 10,000 Christmas cards and another 12,000 the following year.

The hope of the people of San Roque GK is that their paper products, meticulously designed by hand in a small corner of their new village, will help make stronger friendship and bring families closer in homes and offices around the world.

FEATURE
More than just crafting greetings cards
By Jerome R. Soldevilla

Whenever she puts together bits and pieces of tiny dried flowersand colorful tiny cardboard cuttings of varying dimensions and shapes to come up with individually handcrafted greeting cards, Emma ponders whose life elsewhere will be made happier with the thoughtfulness of someone sending that piece of craft.

At first, getting involved in the GK Handmade Paper Project initiated by SPI in 2004 was just a matter of livelihood driven by a need to augment her husband’s meager income. But as the years passed by, Emma realized that more than just making a living, she is crafting cards designed to send across the greetings of goodwill and friendship.[more]

NEW PRODUCT
Natural Dyed Handmade Papers

San Roque GK Kapitbahayan, Inc.is one of the very few group of handmade paper makers who offers naturally dyed handmade papers.[more]

For further inquiries, please contact San Roque GK Kapitbahayan, Inc.,
Phase III San Roque Village, Dayawan, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, Philippines.
Phone: +63 9178841493. Fax: +63 (32) 230 8283. Website: www.dayawanpaper.com.
Email: info@dayawanpaper.com