Empowering Mamanwa weavers through product dev’t training
By NORA C. LANUZA
BUTUAN CITY — Twelve members of the Maraiging Mamanwa Farmers Skilled Workers Association (MAMAFASWAS) in Jabonga and an additional 46 members from the Mamanwa community in Zapanta Valley, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, completed the training in product development and enhancement for buri and abaca handicrafts.
Through the initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Agusan del Norte and the local government units, in partnership with the FGen Puyo Hydro Corporation, they now have a source of livelihood to nurture and sustain.
With the help and guidance of the personnel of the DTI – Agusan del Norte, and the LGUs, the IP weavers are now busy preparing orders from different offices, not only in the province of Agusan del Norte but also from private groups and individuals. Part of the journey is the expansion of a reliable market for these IP weavers.
Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante of the province of Agusan del Norte supported this initiative, as she encouraged government offices and employees to patronize the livelihood of the Mamanwas, saying, “We should be the first to patronize the products of our fellow IPs; consider their products as your giveaways or gifts to friends; if you have activities or events, place an order, among others. Through this support, we can sustain their small business and pave the way for a long-term livelihood.”
Re-echoing this directive, Arcily Gonzaga, chief specialist of the Trade and Industry Development of DTI – Agusan del Norte, called on for unified support from the different sectors of the community to ensure the IP weavers will reap a significant livelihood out of this passion and hard work. As a positive outcome of this initiative, orders started to pick up, and these IP weavers are now busy counting and tracking down the long list of orders for handicrafts.
FGen Puyo Hydro Corporation (First Gen) made the first move to purchase handicraft products from the Mamanwa weavers in bulk. Based on record, the MAMAFASWAS already delivered 600 handcrafted buri bags as kits for the delegates during the Daughters of Mary International Convention in September, and more than 400 bags were also served during the celebration of National Teachers’ Day in Caraga region with Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education Sara Z. Duterte.
Elvira Pinao, chairperson of MAMAFASWAS, could not hide her delight at how grateful they are for the help and assistance of the government through the DTI.
“We are happy and blessed to have this attention from the government; we are now engaged with our weaving work and income for our family,” Pinao said.
According to DTI – Agusan del Norte provincial director Lorijane Sacote, “By providing skill training to the Mamanwa IPs, we are empowering them to be self-reliant and productive citizens.”
Dir. Sacote added, “The products of the IP weavers will be displayed in the upcoming Produkto Ipasigarbo sa Tabuan sa Agusan-Butuan (PISTA) Christmas Edition Trade Fair slated on November 17 to 30, 2023 in SM City Butuan. This is another venue for these IP weavers to shine and take center stage.” (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
