DOST, Baguio LGU partner for upgrading of weaving industry

Loom weaving in the city got a boost with the recent partnership the city government entered with the Department of Science and Technology that sought to upgrade Baguio’s loom weaving industry.  
DOST-Cordillera Director Nancy Bantog with Baguio-Benguet Provincial S&T Center Director Sheila Marie Claver and city officials headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan signed on March 10 a memorandum of agreement for the project, “Upgrading the loom weaving industry of Baguio City through science and technology and innovation”.
Under the partnership, DOST and the city government aim to improve the existing products of the proponents, help them develop new loom weaving products and new designs, develop a sustainable livelihood for loom weavers and Baguio, and ensure that there will be a showcase and marketing center for such products.
DOST-Cordillera through the Local Grants-in-Aid program will provide P557,000 while Baguio will provide a counterpart of P1.5 million for the project that will initially benefit 126 loom weavers from the West Quirino Hill Women’s Organization, Conqueror’s Association, D’Dreamers Association, and Share Weavers Association.
The project includes training on advanced handloom weaving at DOST Philippine Textile Research Institute, seminar on fashion trends in the loom weaving industry, and basic training on fashion trends.
 Two common service facilities, one in Quirino Hill and one in Irisan, will be established and  will be equipped with 40 and 60 inches modified handloom weaving machine, warping frame, single needle high speed straight sewing machine, and industrial zig-zagger machine.
A loom weaving showcase and marketing center will also be set the Botanical Garden, which will be managed by the city government. 
Bantog congratulated PSTC Benguet, the City Mayor’s Office, and the CSWDO for initiating and forging the partnership to help the Baguio loom weavers and the industry.
Magalong also expressed gratitude to DOST-Cordillera for responding to the city’s request for a partnership, seen as a great boost for the city’s product development plan for loom weavers. – Carlito C. Dar