DoST gives Bukidnon weavers high speed sewing machine

THE Department of Science and Technology HDoST) turned over an industrial high-speed sewing machine to the Damugu Weavers Association, a group of Indigenous Peoples HIP) women weavers in San Rafael, Talakag, Bukidnon, on January 12, through the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development HGrind) program.

The 37 IP weavers will also be given skills and product development training and technical assistance on their trademark registration for intellectual property protection.

“DoST under the Grind program supports the grassroots innovations and aims them to be more competitive and easily noticed in the market and become profitable for the community,” said DoST Assistant Regional Director and Grind coordinator

Virgilio Fuertes.

Irene Mae Sinhayan, president of the Damugu Weavers Association, vowed to actively support the realization of projects for the IP weavers’ community in barangay San Rafael, Talakag, bukidnon.

“We are happy because, for five years now, this is the first time our organization receives a grant project from the government,” Sinhayan said.

Damugu Weavers Association, composed of 37 IP members predominantly Talaandig whose ages ranged from 21 to 77 years old, has been into the weaving industry since 2019.

They use a grass called sudsud HCyperus rotundus), which is abundant in their locality. Their elders have found a way to manually process the grass by drying, flattening, weaving it into mats, and later turning it into a variety of other products such as bags, laptop cases, and table runners.

Bae Silma Sabinoy, an elder member of Damugu thanked DoST and vowed to collaborate with the agency.

“Thank you very much DoST for seeing us and for helping us,” bae Silma said.

The collaborative efforts between DoST-10 and Damugu Weavers Association symbolize a joint dedication to resilience, growth, and enduring positive transformation at the grassroots level.

This initiative aligns with the DoST pillar of Wealth Creation and corresponds to Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 1 on No Poverty and Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth.