March 29, 2024

The city council urged department stores, garment stores, souvenir shops, and online selling sites to stop trading machine-made and cheap replica of indigenous woven materials and apparels in the city and elsewhere.
In a resolution, the council stated local establishments have sought the assistance of the city government to help them prevent the proliferation of fake and cheap knitted and woven materials in the city that replicate indigenous woven products from the Cordillera.
Earlier, local weavers and industry like Easter Weaving, Inc. and Cordillera Inabel raised awareness among the city business establishments of the presence of the machine-printed weaves that came from Divisoria and China that pose a serious threat to tradition, economy, and business integrity.
The council pointed out original indigenous peoples’ woven products and apparels are rooted in traditions and ethnic identity.
The body added woven garments and materials have supported the life and history of indigenous peoples in terms of preservation of indigenous knowledge, the weaving and fiber industry, the economic activity, practice of indigenous skills and creativity, and the pride of weavers.
However, the council noted free trade and commerce has ushered in the alleged proliferation of machine-made and cheap replica of traditional weaves which runs counter to the customs, traditions, and history of indigenous peoples who passed on to several generations such indigenous skills and knowledge that established their identity.
Established and start-up weavers in the city admitted having lost numerous potential customers because of the proliferation of the machine-printed indigenous woven products which are reportedly much cheaper compared to the original ones.
While the weavers understand that people have to make a living for their families, they said it should be not to the extent of harming others and the region’s lucrative weaving industry.
The local weavers also urged officials not to let fake woven products be used as accents in the uniforms of government workers as the same shows disgrace and disrespect to the hardworking weavers. – PIO release