The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PHILFIDA) conducted “Abakabuhayan Fiber Production cum Philippine National Standards Training” on 2 December 2021, at Barangay Hall in Tunton, municipality of Tagkawayan. Juanito Panganiban, the Municipal Agriculturist Officer (MAO), Riezl Jane B. Hernandez, a representative from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Tristan Jhon Pia, the Livelihood Officer, and members of the Tagkawayan Weavers Association (a group of local handicraft artisans specializing in materials such as pandan, tilob/agsam, nito, and uway/rattan). During training, speakers taught different methods of abaca fiber extraction, such as hand stripping (using hand-hagotan) and machine stripping (using a spindle stripping machine). After the training, Hernandez took the opportunity to conduct a profile of the unregistered MSMEs.

The local government unit (LGU) is grateful for the event and believes that by collaborating with other agencies, more opportunities will become available to every Tagkawayanin.♦

Date of Release: 6 December 2021