Improvement in the quality of life of the rural community has been one of the goals of Central Philippines State University (CPSU) through its Research and Development (R and D) Office and the Extension and Community Services Office (ECSO). This is being carried-out through the conduct of various trainings and workshops with the rural farmers to create sustainable livelihood options for them.
Last December 6, 2021, the CPSU Research and Extension Offices in collaboration with the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), represented by the PhilFIDA OIC Regional Director Evelyn Cagasan and Sir Nemspat Joevenet De Juan, the PhilFIDA Provincial Fiber Officer of Negros Occidental, commenced a five-day “Livelihood Training-Workshop on Basic Handloom Weaving” from December 6 - 10, 2021, to women farmers within the community at So. Lucay, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
A total of 30 attendees were present in the said activity with trainees coming from the organized farmer associations of the University, such as the CATAFA, MABAFA and LUBUSFA. The group was trained by Ma’am Mary Ann Montagon, one of the weavers of the Indag-an Primary Multi-purpose Cooperative in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
Propelled with the goal of assisting local government agencies in handloom weaving, as well as in strengthening this industry in the country, PhilFIDA donated to the University 2 units of handloom weaving with accessories, 2 units of steel reads, 2 units spinning wheel, 1 unit warping board, 6 cones of cotton yarn, and 2 kgs. of silk yarn.
Expected output in this training is a poly-cotton cloth, as their practice product before they would be immersed in the silk yarn weaving.
CPSU president Dr. Aladino Moraca, who had been one of the proponents in the reestablishment of Sericulture project in the University, expressed gratefulness in the realization of this training.
“This engagement with PhilFIDA validates our serious commitment to take part in strengthening rural industrialization. With our sericulture project, in partnership with the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA), and now with PhilFIDA for the handloom weaving, this is a reliable initiative for economic development in the countryside that paves way for self-sustainability and the promotion of local trade,” Dr. Moraca explained.
Tagged as a “women-friendly industry,” this is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) that targets on providing women with equal employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, and food security.
The entire training duration is supervised by Dr. Angelie Rose Lumba, Research Director, Dr. Jimmy Degillo, Extension and Community Services Director and Ms. Joe-Ann Escober, training coordinator of CPSU Hinobaan campus.
Also present in the said activity were Mr. Hernane Malabor, the University silkworm production consultant, Hon. Rico Regalia, the Camingawan Brgy. Captain, and Sir Dominic Billen, the Environment Management Director, along with three forest rangers and other attendees.
By: J.A. Emoy
Photos: J. Escober