From UNIDO, Loom weaving sector gets fresh P2M funds

CEBU, Philippines - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization has allocated an additional fund of P2 million for the loom weaving industry, the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas office announced.

This is to rehabilitate the loom weavers' facility and accommodate more workers and equipment after it was badly hit by the 7.2 earthquake last year.

In an interview with DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte, she said the facility, which is part of DTI's Shared Services Facility program, will be located on a 150 square property. "With the additional financial assistance, we will be able to expand the floor area to add 50 more weavers," said Caberte.

During the recently concluded Sandugo Trade Expo, held last July 23-27 at the Island City Mall, Bohol's export quality products, specifically the new woven fabrics made from raffia, took the spotlight.

Raffia is brown, grassy fiber used for crafts and as a packing material.

DTI has partnered with international designer Francis Dravigni as their consultant in coming up with the new fabric.

"He told me to give him eight months to a year and all these woven raffia fabrics will be in the shops of international signature brands. He is very confident of the quality of our fabrics," Caberte said.

The fabrics were woven by some 150 workers of the Loom Weavers Cooperative in the Tubigon Loom Weaving Center, located in Tubigon, Bohol, which was relaunched by President Benigno Aquino III in May this year.

With UNIDO's assistance, Caberte said the cooperative will be able to double the capacity and train pre-selected weavers to produce the specific fabric.

The Sandugo Trade Expo is an annual show organized by DTI. This year's theme is "Gearing for ASEAN 2015."

"Bohol wants to send a message that we are back in business. We have moved on from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that devastated the province in October 2013," Caberte said. — (FREEMAN)