Ricalde, André Sebastian S. Ricalde
BSED ENG 1201
Pallocan: The Place Where Pots Reign
Rationale
When people find themselves strolling near the Batangas City branch of SM Malls,
they could not help but pass through Barangay Pallocan West. This particular barangay
has a rich history that involves the Calumpang River within its vicinity. However, upon
closer inspection of the current circumstance of the barangay, you can no longer see the
bustling and prosperous hub that once existed there. Where it once was a powerhouse
in the production of clay pots, those traces seem nonexistent now, only present in the
name of the barangay, Pallocan, coming from the term palayokan, meaning the place
where pots reign. Along with that, dozens of inhabitants of the barangay are unemployed,
while some have taken up to setting up sari-sari stores, an honest living for sure, but no
longer entertaining when every 20 steps you encounter another one. The lack of variety
in wares being sold, as well as the rampant unemployment have led to the creation of this
proposal, Pallocan: The Place Where Pots Reign.
This project aims to meet 3 goals of sustainable development as presented by the
United Nations. The first goal being met is No Poverty. Through this project, citizens of
Pallocan West will be able to make a living through the creation of clay pots and other
clay products. The second goal being met is Zero Hunger. This is inevitable since if the
inhabitants are earning money for themselves, then they will be able to afford food in
order to sustain themselves. And finally, the third sustainable development goal being met
is Decent Work and Economic Growth. Whereas before the only main economic highlight
for the economy of Pallocan West was the Batangas City branch of SM Malls within the
confines of the barangay, with the accomplishment of this project, Pallocan West will once
again be the place where pots reign since the quality of the products that will be released
will be second to none.
The chosen output of this project is a training program to train the inhabitants in
the art of pottery. However, since the training program can only be achieved with the
approval of the proposal, the output that will be passed instead is a creative poster that
is meant to encourage the inhabitants to attend the training program should the proposal
be approved. The poster will be placed in a prominent place, where even non-inhabitants
can see it and be enticed to attend the program. The large announcement board outside
the local elementary school seems to be an appropriate location for the placement of the
poster.
Objectives
1. Restore the rich heritage of Barangay Pallocan West
2. Improve the economic standing of the barangay without having to rely on the
tourism brought on by SM Malls
3. Encourage the unemployed to earn a living for themselves.
Social Analysis
Barangay Pallocan West is made up of people from all walks of life. The barangay
population according to a 2020 census was 6,854. A vast majority of the population are
students who are still finishing their education. While a variety of the citizens have built
up their own sari-sari stores as a business opportunity for financial gain. The remaining
part of the work force are members of various fields like medicine, information technology,
and accounting. And the non-working part of the population is made up of retired senior
citizens and those who are medically incapacitated.
Due to the fact that there is still the presence of unemployment within the barangay,
this project was created to aid those who are unemployed to make a living. The reduced
unemployment will lead to a decrease in poverty and aid in the attainment of the Zero
Poverty goal of sustainable development. With this in mind, those who were previously
unemployed, and even those who are just plainly interested, could earn a living for their
families and sustain themselves. This then also leads to an economic growth for the
community and a chance to not solely rely on the tourism brought upon by the shopping
mall.
With the ever increasing popularity of plastic pots for plant-keeping, the use of clay
pots has become obsolete due to their weighty nature. However, due to the increasing
effects of climate change, the need for these kinds of pots are becoming more and more
evident. The motion for things to become more green and more sustainable has been
going for a long time, and since clay pots are produced much more sustainably, they will
be able to appeal to another market wherein they could thrive and succeed. The
sustainable and cheap nature of the product will certainly aid in achieving its desired
effects. And eventually, Pallocan West will be a self-reliant barangay with a product to
uphold as its standard.
Recommendation
Thanks to projects like this one, local officials are given the opportunity to address
the issue of unemployment within their communities. Recommendation for proper
awareness include the use of the tanod system that goes around the barangay whenever
there is an announcement to be made. The program will be free of charge and will
promote a sense of identity among its participants. And as stated earlier, the creative
poster that serves as the creative output pre-implementation will be posted in a prominent
spot within the community.
Creative Output