CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga(PIA) — Members of women’s organizations in three barangays in Tabuk City are trained to become weavers as part of the initiative of a non-government organization to establish a sustainable livelihood for indigenous communities.
Members of the respective Laggunawa associations of Barangays Amlao, Balawag, and Suyang underwent the training on basic loom frame weaving from August 26-30, 2024, equipping them with the necessary skills as a foundation to start their weaving enterprise.
Weavers from the Kalinga Indigenous Weavers Association (KINWA) Etnika served as trainers. The training was under the livelihood component of the Green Luzon Project in Kalinga being spearheaded by the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk-Social Action Center (AVT-SAC) as part of its broader efforts to promote socio-economic development and protect the ecological integrity of indigenous communities.
“In terms of community development, makita ngay diay anya talaga ti kayat iti community nga related idiay cultural identity. And ti maysa nga kayat da nga mapasamak iti daytuy ket to bring back iti weaving because weaving is connected idiay pagkatao dagituy nga tattao,” said Fr. George Manisem, AVT-SAC director and Green Luzon Project coordinator.
The training was conducted with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Kalinga and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Kalinga. “We are happy to support the program as it aligns with the DTI’s development thrust to promote the weaving industry,” said DTI-Kalinga Provincial Director Renie Ramos.
As the partner agency of the Green Luzon Project, DOST-Kalinga Provincial Director Dexy Catacutan assured of the agency’s long-term support.
“We are very happy nga ada met ti weaving center dituy nga banda. Agyaman kami nga ada nag-interest nga ag-weave,” Catacutan said.
The Department of Labor and Employment-Kalinga also pledged to help the program succeed, saying the women’s associations may avail of up to P1 million worth of equipment and materials through the its livelihood program.
The Tabuk City government and the Kalinga provincial government likewise gave their support. Speaking on behalf of Gov. James S. Edduba, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Flordeliza Moldero said P300,000 assistance is committed to sustain the livelihood program.
Mary Jean Domingo, the president of the Laggunawa Association of Paligatto, conveyed her gratitude for the livelihood program.
“Mayat met tapnu ada met a pagliwliwaan nu agyan ti balay,” she said.
[This is good, we have something to be busy with while at home.]
Domingo said they are also keen to revive their community’s weaving tradition.
“Ada diay duwa nga baket [nga weavers] ngem insardeng dan nga nabayag, isu nga praktisen mi met a tapnu [maisubli],” she said.
[There were two elderly women weavers in the community but they have already stopped weaving, so we will also practice to revive the community weaving tradition.] (IOS, PIA-CAR, Kalinga)
