Local demand for "bayong" picking up

CEBU, Philippines - After launching the nationwide Project Bayong Livelihood Project last February, DTI is now slowly seeing a build up of domestic demand as well as interest for bayongs in the international market.

In an interview with DTI Cebu’s chief of Product Management Division Elias G. Tecson he said that after holding a networking meeting with some member companies of the Cebu Gift, Toys and Housewares, Foundation Inc. (Cebu-GTH), they were able to provide a venue for strategic market linkages and business matching between suppliers and weavers of bayong and their target exporter-buyers.

Tecson said that bayong weavers and producers that were assisted by DTI included those from Brgy. Odlot in Bogo City, the BANIKA group form Brgy. Balao in Barili, women from Brgy. Pook in Sta. Fe, and weavers from Brgy. Argawon in San Remigio.

He said that partner-exporters who attended the networking meeting included: 33.3 Exports, Inc; AH Designs, Inc.; Arden Classic Designs, Inc.; APY Cane, Inc.; Hannah’s Handicraft, DECO Functional, Tropical Souvenirs, Regalos, Cebu Homecrafts, Obra Cebuana, Inc.; and Selections Export International.

Tecson said that the bayongs were classified into two product lines which include utility bags and fashion bags.

He said that bayongs as utility bags have garnered a huge demand from the partner exporters in fact some placed huge orders.

“The weavers were so glad that some exporters placed orders especially on utility bags. Some placed orders of 500 bags and more. Some companies wanted their own designs while some were contented with the weaver’s existing designs,” said Tecson.

He said that partner-exporters have stressed on the quality of the products to enable them to easily market bayongs to the international buyers.

Tecson said that other exporters have expressed concerns on the color or the dyeing aspect of the bayongs underscoring the need to be consistent on color should be given much importance to avoid product rejections.

He agreed on the need to standardize the dyeing process and the expertise of the personnel in charge of raw material preparation and with this he is planning to make a proposal for DTI funding to create a one-stop-shop center for bayong raw materials.

Tecson said that the proposed center will prepare the materials that weavers will need so that the raw materials for the bayongs will be standardized.