STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan, Philippines?There are paper roses, paper boats and paper bags. And now, there are paper caskets.

Whenever she speaks about making caskets out of old newspapers, Commissioner Deanne Gregorio of the National Anti-Poverty Commission said people either laugh or are skeptical about the project.

But when she shows a sample of a papermache (weaved) casket and explains that it is durable and practical, many believe that it is indeed a good alternative to a wood coffin as it is cheap and environment-friendly.

On the invitation of Mayor Reynaldo Velasco and Supt. Eric Noble, the town police chief, the NAPC is conducting a trainer?s training here on making bags and coffins using the weaving technology.

There are 30 trainees composed of out of school youths, unemployed adults and persons with disabilities who will compose the core of trainers.

Velasco said the funding for the training came from P80,000 proceeds from the Alay-Lakad (which was revived in the town after 10 years) initiated by Noble in October.

He said he welcomed the new technology which could generate livelihood activities among the people, as well as provide practical and environment-friendly coffins to poor people.

Lulu Ocampo, NAPC lead trainer, thought of making coffins out of discarded paper more than a decade ago.

She saw the body of a friend?s mother wrapped in sheets before it was cremated, and she thought it would be better if the body was inside a coffin when cremated.

?So I thought why not use a casket made of paper?? she said.

Ocampo then designed a casket using woven paper with wood frame, glass, satin sheet for lining, and wooden handles. Asked how long the paper coffin can hold, she said a wake was held for a person in Sapang Palay in Manila and the coffin proved strong.

The trainer for coffin making is Rogelio Lim, 51, who is deaf from Mandaluyong City. Lim said he can finish a coffin for adults in five days and for small children in a day, complete with all accessories.