Weaver’s forum hopes to enhance industry

THREADING its first weaver’s forum, the Cordillera Weavers Producers Cooperative (CWPC) in partnership with Benguet State University (BSU) and line agencies such as Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), held the Cordillera 1st Weaver’s Forum on April 12, 2018 at the BSU College of Teacher Education Function Hall.

BSU president Feliciano Calora, Jr said it is part of BSU’s advocacy contribute to the country’s development through engaging with its partner agencies. He also encouraged the CDA to provide funds for weavers associations to be able to benchmark with other countries.

“I hope the research component of this is considered primarily because we have to be innovative, we have to use new technologies in developing new weaves that will be world-class and globally acceptable,” Calora said. “Thus I encourage everyone to go out and visit places.”

CDA Administrator Dr. Eulogio Castillo meanwhile observed in the Cordilleras, the environment is deteriorating with the inten-

sive focus on tourism. He said that the nature, culture, and business are intertwined. If one is damaged, then the whole connection is lost.

Castillo said it is a challenge to maintain the connection between the trio as the tourism business is likely the one that would damage the environment and culture while urging the community or the local government unit to find an intervention that would retain the connection nature, culture, and business.

“This is why we approached (our partner agencies), to develop a plan to promote, expand, conserve, and enhance the competitiveness of the weaving industry in Cordillera,” expressed Castillo.

Castillo added the industry is losing its competitiveness in the market as the inroads of modernization approaches adding to it the waning interest and appreciation of the public to the traditional weave.

The CDA official meanwhile encouraged that action is required to address its issues with the forum as the initiative to enhance the weaving industry and discuss each issue concerning it.

Partner agencies, added Castillo are implored to contribute to its development from its resources, its process, to the participation of the community.

“We have to harness the cooperative spirit para magkaroon ng congregations yung mga weavers, and a place to go kung mayroon silang itatanong, gustong gawin, o gustong i-improve. That will serve now as the convergence point of the various interests regarding the weaving industry,” Castillo said.