PTRI-NGCP PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE BUHI WEAVING
By Lanquin Seyer R. Gacusan (Technology Transfer Information and Promotions Staff)
PTRI and NGCP officers together with BOKPA Weavers during the Capability Building project launch at Lavidia Resort, Buhi, Camarines Sur
BUHI, CAMARINES SUR, REGION V – With a mandate of organizing community development programs to its power transmission beneficiaries or host communities, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) for a six-month project of providing capability building trainings to the Buhi OTOP Key Players Association (BOKPA) Weavers.
BUHI, The project has three (3) components: conduct of trainings in advanced handloom weaving, and marketing, product enhancement and product costing; conduct of impact assessment meetings and field visits; and deployment of five (5) PTRI modified handloom weaving machines.
BUHI, The On 7 August 2017, a launching event was organized and held at the Lavidia Resort, Buhi, Camarines Sur which formally kicked off the six-month project. This was attended by PTRI technology transfer and training officers, NGCP representatives, Buhi Local Government Unit (LGU), BOKPA officers and weavers, and the local media.
BUHI, The Several inspirational talks were heard during the launching event. In his message, PTRI Technology Transfer Information and Promotions Staff Head Mr. Norly B. Villar explained that “TELA”, for the DOST-PTRI, is more than the Filipino translation for “fabric”. For the Institute, TELA is an acronym for Textiles Empowering Lives Anew which means handloom weaving (as one of the textile sectors being looked into by PTRI) has a great potential for elevating the livelihood of the Filipinos not just to earn enough but more than enough.
DOST-PTRI’s Mr. Norly B. Villar giving inspirational message for BOKPA Weavers
Aside from the focus that the weavers will give to the training, Mr. Villar urged BOKPA to be prouder of their weaves since handwoven products are special items that have been gaining a growing number of interests locally and internationally.
Ms. Jenny Afroilan explaining NGCP’s role and intent in the project
Ms. Jenny Afroilan of NGCP, on the other hand, explained that more than providing corporate social responsibility (CSR) 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 the country which NGCP strongly advocates. Further, it is the Corporation’s thrust to support industries that still have the capacity to be developed that empower NGCP’s power transmission line communities.
PTRI Master Weaver Ms. Josefa L. Garlitos handling the Advanced Handloom Weaving training
The launching event was followed by the advanced handloom weaving training facilitated by PTRI. The 5-day training focused on reviewing universal handloom weaving terms/jargons and hands-on exercise on design analysis, interpretation and execution. During the training period, the BOKPA trainees were divided into four (4) groups. They were given pattern computations to follow in executing different designs, and they were asked to weave at least five (5) patterns per group.
As observed by the PTRI Master Weaver and Trainer Ms. Josefa L. Garlitos, BOKPA weavers have high level of learning acquisition, and their designs are noticeably remarkable – seen in their color combination and polished weaves. She added that the Buhinon weaves are highly competitive and market-ready.
Some of the handwoven fabrics and items by BOKPA
Buhi Mayor Margie Aguinillo at the launching event of PTRI-NGCP Partnership
Finally, Buhi Mayor Margie Aguinillo extended her gratitude towards NGCP and PTRI for choosing BOKPA as one of its beneficiaries, and looked forward into harnessing the growth of their hundred-year old tradition of weaving by empowering their local weavers and in the future exposing Buhinon weaves into local and foreign markets.
