At least 20 bamboo weavers from Barangay Balatong in this city are moving up to the next level as they are about to upgrade their skills in bamboo processing. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) based in Iloos Norte province announced on Monday that there will be free skill upgrade training at the Laoag City basketball court set on July 19 to 21, this year. ‘By the end of the training, we expect they will be able to level up their skills in weaving baskets, ‘bilao’ (winnowing basket) and wall decors, among others,’ said Maricor Racela, senior trade industry development specialist and trade promotions officer of the DTI-Ilocos Norte, in an interview. Racela urged the participants to take the training seriously and put passion and commitment to it as she committed to the full support of DTI from training, product development up to product launching and marketing. Bamboo production and processing are among the sunrise industries in this city and in the province which both the local and national governments wanted to focus on. To ensure a more stable supply of bamboo products, the Department of Agriculture has allocated PHP1.2 million in 2022 for the establishment of a one-hectare Bamboo Research and Development (R and D) station in Barangay Mabaleng, Batac City. The said station is part of the ongoing research and development project of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University which aims to enhance bamboo production and profitability through the application of bamboo technologies in nursery establishment, production of planting materials, and rehabilitation of bamboo strands. In support of this, the DTI is also extending assistance in training more weavers to level up their skills in bamboo processing. This is also a part of the small and medium enterprises (SME) month celebration this July, said DTI provincial director Amelia E. Galvez as she announced that various programs and services related to SME development, consumer protection, and other activities that promote growth and development of its workforce will be rolled out this month. Last June 22, at least 15 bamboo entrepreneurs were given livelihood kits at the Laoag City Covered Court. The DTI said the bamboo industry offers a huge potential to Ilocanos looking for an alternative livelihood to increase their incom
Source: Philippines News Agency
