Kalinga women trained on loom weaving for livelihood

September 25, 2017 Provincial

CITY OF TABUK, KALINGA – At least 30 Kalinga women have started a livelihood program while enhancing their skills in heirloom weaving.
Members of the Kalinga Indigenous Weavers Association (KINWA ETNIKA) successfully completed a 5-day Basic Handloom Weaving Training organized by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines through Project Baro.
From September 11 to 15, at least 30 KINWA ETNIKA members underwent a basic handloom weaving training at their weaving center in Barangay Bulanao, Tabuk. Aside from the basic training, the weavers also received 10 loom weaving equipment.
NGCP North Luzon Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Officer Lilibeth Gaydowen said they initiated Project Baro to support weaving industry in the country and as part of NGCP’s corporate initiatives for host communities traversed by its transmission facilities.
The project is also aimed to increase loom weavers and help in the preservation and promotion of loom weaving industry particularly the traditional backstrap weaving. This will also revive the old loom weaving tradition of the people of Kalinga.
“More than providing corporate social responsibility projects, NGCP believes that handloom weaving has a huge potential in providing sustainable livelihood without investing a lot. It also presents and preserves the rich culture of Kalinga,” she said.
Gaydowen said that aside from generating employment and additional income, the younger generation, particularly the children of the weavers will be taught and be educated on the traditional loom weaving which is one of the industries of the province of Kalinga.
After the training program, the NGCP will help the women group in marketing strategies and product enhancement and product costing to sustain their livelihood program.
The project on skills development is sponsored by the NGCP in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority.The loom weaving as livelihood project was also launched in Miagao, Ilo-ilo and Buhi, Camarines Sur. RMC- PIA CAR / ABN