Bamboo weavers in this city are inspired to improve their craft following the launching of a PHP3.1-million bamboo shared service facility (SSF) courtesy of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Thursday.
Maricor Racela, senior trade industry development expert and trade promotions officer of DTI Ilocos Norte, said the facility can be used by the Balatong Bamboo Growers Association for free since the facility’s operation is covered with a usufruct agreement between DTI and the Laoag City government.
“Under the two-year usufruct agreement, the SSF shall remain a property of the DTI. After two years, this will be turned over to the local government unit of Laoag to be awarded fully to the MSME beneficiary once there is any improvement in bamboo processing such as increased sales and income, more jobs creation and good project management of the association,” Racela told the Philippine News Agency.
The facility is funded jointly by the city government, for the housing facility, and the DTI, for the equipment.
It aims to boost micro, small, and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) competitiveness by providing shared access to machinery, equipment, skills, and knowledge, which in turn will help uplift the lives of many through public-private partnerships.
To date, the Laoag bamboo weavers has a display center of their products and novelty items in Balatong village to revitalize the bamboo industry.
Through the SSF, the DTI hopes to inspire the beneficiaries to improve their products and take advantage of bamboo’s unlimited potential for business and job creation.
To date, the Balatong bamboo weavers association produces quality bamboo products such as winnowing baskets, wall decors, and other novelty items that are most sought after by hotels and resort owners.
“The Balatong bamboo weavers is indeed very lucky to have this facility as this will increase their productivity and will surely ensure a greater income,” Mayor Michael Keon said during the project launching.
Keon said bamboo is considered as a “green gold” known for its multiple uses, and the village of Balatong is blessed to have abundant bamboo.
Bamboo production and processing are among the sunrise industries in this city and in the province, that both the local and national governments want to focus on.
Aside from providing SSF, expanding bamboo plantations and capacitating bamboo weavers, DTI is also assisting local players in marketing their products by joining government-organized trade fairs. (Leilanie Adriano)
(Source: Philippine News Agency)