PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) boosts the exposure of artists to produce more competitive and quality products by opening a competition for knitting and embroidery in Palawan.
Ara Rochelle Ramos, Trade and Industry Development Specialist, said that the products of local artists have the potential to be sold outside Palawan and serve as identity products from the province as well.
The registration is open until December 11 to all Palaweños including artisans, students, out-of-school youths, housewives, and entrepreneurs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Gusto natin isama ang creative industry—since hindi natin (masyadong) napapansin ang ganong mga industry. Para malaman din namin sino ang mga gumagawa at sila rin ang magiging focus natin next year,” she said.
DTI was inspired to open the competition to also profile the artists that could be the potential recipients of a series of training in 2024. It will give the department an idea of the level of the artists’ production in the market and the intervention that could be provided.
After learning that some of the products were used as accessories at events, DTI wants to work on enhancing production to be market-ready outside Palawan.
The department project under wearables and textiles widens its reach as it also encourages youth ages 15 to join the competition.
Ramos believed that it would not just boost the economy but also strengthen the promotion of local culture.
“Step pa lang namin ito kung ano ang dapat masundan namin. Titingnan namin kung anong level na— Kung may ganon na tayong produkto sa Palawan na pwede ilabas, baka magkaroon tayo ng iba-ibang program na masusundan nito,” she said.
Aside from a chance for their works to be displayed in a local exhibition, participants will have the chance to win P5,000 for the first prize, P3,000 for the second prize, and P2,000 for the third prize.
Interested participants may visit the link https://forms.gle/oG37u89y4REk4Xi28 to register. For more details, they may also contact Ramos at (048) 434-1092 and/or 0920-272-8565. (RG/PIA Mimaropa – Palawan)
