The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), in collaboration with DOST Region VIII, DOST-PSTO Eastern Samar, and Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), conducted a two-day training on Synthetic Dyeing of Indigenous Fibers in San Gabriel, Borongan, Eastern Samar on October 23-24, 2024. Aimed at supporting local artisans, the training focused on equipping 21 members of the San Gabriel Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (SGARBC) with dyeing techniques that may enhance the aesthetic quality of their coconut coir products. 

The training program covered fiber pre-treatment and synthetic dyeing processes, providing participants with practical, hands-on experience in achieving consistent colors for coconut coir fibers. Facilitators demonstrated steps to prepare the fibers to better absorb synthetic dyes, resulting in more vibrant and lasting colors. The methods taught aimed to improve the visual appeal and market viability of coir products crafted by SGARBC members. 

By introducing participants to these techniques, the training aligns with SGARBC’s goals to improve the quality of their handmade products and increase their competitiveness. DOST-PTRI and its partners emphasized that these skills may assist the cooperative members in producing products that meet consumer preferences for color quality and consistency, potentially enhancing local economic opportunities. 

This initiative forms part of a larger effort by DOST-PTRI and ESSU to support local artisans by introducing skills that incorporate scientific processes in traditional crafts. The training also highlights the collaborative efforts between government and local institutions to explore sustainable solutions and provide resources that may benefit rural livelihoods in Eastern Samar.