Industry Development Division Chief Mimosa B. Regis shared the projects that DTI is contributing to the weaving industry. She said first that there are a lot of issues in the industry that need to be addressed. She observed that most of the organizations lack younger weavers which threaten the sustainability of the industry.
“So that we can be competitive in the world market, we need to create a strong brand. Kaya maganda dito sa Cordillera kasi ‘yung kultura natin ay pwedeng ma-integrate sa ating mga products,” Regis said. “’That’s what sells in the global market… ‘yung bawat produkto po natin ay lalagyan po natin ng kwento.”
Regis focused on four key programs that support the weaving industry: the Negosyo Center, Negosyo Center Trainings, Kapatid Mentor Me (KMMe), and Trade Promotion activities. The Negosyo Center provides access to the rural entrepreneurs to market their products and it provides services and equipment for them; the Negosyo Center trainings on the other hand provides skills and training improvements and innovations to empower potential entrepreneurs; the KMMe program is an intensive coaching and mentoring to potential entrepreneurs on starting their own businesses; finally the Trade Promotion activities are aimed at exposing the products to a wider market.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Regional Director Jedida L. Aquino then discussed the programs under NEDA that support the weaving industry. Aquino said that NEDA is the policy making entity in terms of development as a whole. She said that in the 2017-2018 Regional Development Plan of NEDA, there is a specific provision for culture and values that speak of strategies that could support the weavers.
One strategy mentioned is appreciation for the indigenous arts and crafts. As an incentive, Aquino said that Cordillera Autonomy would help boost this strategy into full blown policies for the region.
“We believe that if we are autonomous, we can come up with policies and projects, programs that would be responsive to our unique requirements…maybe the regional government later will provide more support not only financially but also in terms of technology and the rest of the support system that we could give to the weavers,” stressed Aquino.
Another strategy is ensured occupational safety and health in relations to the weaving process where workers are exposed to high contents of cotton dust, high levels of noise, and the toxic chemicals obtained from bleaching, dyeing, and finishing processes.
The other strategies mentioned are the integration of indigenous crafts to the formal education system; strengthening documentation of indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices; promote innovations; and sustaining existing efforts towards promotion of trade and arts among others.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – CAR Senior Science Research Specialist Pita S. Picpican on the other hand introduced the DOST Technology Business Incubator program in which textile production is taught for prospective enterprise creation. Picpican also said that the sericulture (silk production) is also continuing as they coordinated with Kalinga State University and Ifugao State University on mulberry trees.
Picpican added that DOST have centers that specifically provide trainings, looms, and equipment for weavers in CAR. She reported that there is also a Natural Dye Hub located in Abra that adopts the natural dye technology for the weave threads. She added that DOST is also conducting the ArtisTELA and the Perfect Fit contest where weavers are to present their unique designs as a way to encourage innovations on weaving design.
Dr. Adalyn V. Salvador-Amores, Project Leader of the University of Philippines Baguio Cordillera Textile Project then presented their on-going project titled: “Anthropological Analysis, Mathematical Symmetry, and Technical Characterization of Cordillera Textiles.”
“So that thing was the overriding question for our research, to find out what are the traditional materials, what are the natural dyes that were used, what are the meaning of these traditional patterns that we can preserve and for that to be transmitted to our local weavers,” said Amores.
Prof. Norma P. Banaña, representative of BSU gave a background on the then weaving project of BSU in the 1950s with the then course of Bachelor of Science in Home Making until it became only a subject in the 60s. The subject itself was cancelled completely because there was no one to teach weaving.
However, Banaña said that BSU provided trainings and sent interns to weavers association and to the Easter Weaving School in Baguio City. She added that the weaving subject is passed on February and is undergoing board resolution approval.
“I see a very bright future for the weaving industry, so long as we are here… I will not believe that the weaving industry will be having a natural death,” expressed Banaña.
After the discussions an open forum was held with the resolution that the weaving industry in the Cordillera should be strengthened and is in dire need of branding and product patenting to protect its authenticity.
With the success of the 1st Weaver’s Forum and the resolve that lifted the participants’ hearts, it can be proven that the Cordilleran thread does not only end with the heddle’s last click, it looms on.**MDPenchog
