Maribojoc trains locals in “baliw” bag-making

AS the country's economic indicators continue to bloom in the field of political stability and the administration enjoins all Filipinos to keep the momentum of confidence and productivity, local leaders here in Maribojoc started to weave their little way to progress. In coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry-Bohol Provincial Office, the Local Government Unit of Maribojoc, along with PROCESS Bohol, Inc. and the Bohol Product Showroom conducted training to 35 weaver members of the Maribojoc Handicraft Weavers Association (MAHAW-AS) and Pagnitoan-San Isidro-Candavid Weavers Association (PAGSACA). All of these to upgrade local skills in bag-making.

The training here, funded by the Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC) is a component of the bigger bag-making industry development program of the province. The training was conducted 12-16 February 2007 by trainers Lucila Sacil and Julieta Largoso from the Balaunong Nagkahiusang Igsoon sa Kalamboan (BANIKA) of Barili, Cebu at the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Maribojoc. Among the products weaved are handbags, tote bags, throw pillows and placemats made of baliw or pandanus copelandii, a fiber that grows abundantly in the area.

The “Banig Baliw Weaving” is the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) of Maribojoc. With this, Mayor Gabino Redulla hopes to save diminishing centuries old tradition of “banig” baliw weaving and generate more jobs in the locality. As this developed, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also directed the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to give attention on raising coconut oil manufacturing plants in coconut-rich provinces. This is part of the government's technology business incubation program.

The President cited the growing world demand for virgin coconut oil and extolled the resources of the country to meet such a requirement. She pointed out that the coconut-rich provinces of Bicol, particularly Albay, and the Southern Luzon provinces can be capable of meeting worldwide demand for virgin coconut oil as long as the government's Technology Business Incubation Program (TBIP) is implemented effectively. TBIP, according to the President, is a program aimed at increasing the "survival rate" of budding small and medium enterprise businessmen through a wide array of financial investment options and business opportunities in manufacturing, exporting, retailing, franchising, distributorship, dealership, and direct selling, among others. "This is the agenda with which I expect TLRC to contribute meaningfully in the coming years. Expect TLRC to be a leading center of entrepreneurial technology-based resources, a virtual one-stop shop for entrepreneurs with strengthened and modernized services in technology and business information, hands-on training, organizing and linkaging," she added. "And with your firm commitment to the public welfare, I trust TLRC will continue developing more entrepreneurs, more productive entrepreneurs, creating more jobs that give good income and better opportunities for each and every Filipino family," the President stressed.

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