LA PAZ, Abra – Eighty weavers in the abel loom weaving village of Barangay Bulbulala recently received livelihood kits under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry.
DTI Regional Director Juliet Lucas, DTI-Abra OIC Provincial Head Marvin Arcangel, and Municipal Administrator Perfecto Cardenas representing Mayor JB Bernos turned over sewing threads to various weavers’ associations whose livelihood were affected by severe flooding due to Typhoon Egay.
The DTI hopes the livelihood kits will help the weavers recover their business as they continue to accommodate customers and buyers despite damaged threads and equipment due to flood and mud.
Lucas expressed her support to the loom weaving industry, which not only serves as livelihood for the barangay but also a platform to empower women and promote countryside development.
“Ti kayat tayo ket agnaynay daytoy loom weaving industry. Dagitoy ababelen yo ditoy Abra ket very popular. Maysa pay ket it is mostly done by women. It is a sector nga masapol nga maaywanan. Aside from that, it is community-based,” Lucas said.
Lucas shared ideas to improve marketing by selling in online venues and encouraged continuous product development. She also discussed possibility of local production of sewing threads using natural fibers such as bamboo. She said this will help reduce the cost of importing threads from other countries.
Brigilda Belisario, who is among the beneficiaries, thanked the DTI for the assistance that she said will help them generate additional income for their families.
“Sapay kuma mapalago mi daytoy ta mainayun nga pangalaan mi ti inaldaw-aldaw mi tapno kasta haan laeng dagitoy asawa mi ti namnamaen mi,” she said.
During the turnover, Cardenas also assured the support of the municipal government for the growth of the loom weaving industry as a livelihood in the barangay and the province as a whole.
Bulbulala Punong Barangay Pedro Belisario encouraged his constituents to continue improving their craft.
Bulbulala is renowned for its abel loom weaving, which serves as a vital source of income for the community. The weavers cater to local and international orders and are active participants in various trade fairs with the assistance of the DTI and other partners. – Jam Malingan
