BROOM INDUSTRY REFUSES TO DIE

Despite lack of buri palm trees in Paknaan, Mandaue, broom making remains one of the main livelihoods of residents

Buri palm trees used to be almost everywhere in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City, prompting villagers to think of ways to make money out of it.

They started using buri fiber in making brooms, which became the main livelihood of families in Paknaan for several decades now.

Most of those buri trees are gone now, having made way for factories. Some of the trees had to be cut because they were so old they posed risks to residents.

Despite this, broom-making continued to be one of main livelihoods of the barangay folks. This is the livelihood that the Silhig Festival helps promote.

Paknaan Barangay Captain Malaquias Soco said the broom makers now get their raw materials, especially buri fiber, from towns in northern Cebu.

Yesterday, officials of Paknaan held a press conference to share their plans for the barangay’s fiesta.

They set aside P1.5 million for the activities, including the Silhig Festival, as part of the celebration of the feast of Señor Sto Niño, patron saint of the barangay, on Feb. 3.

Paknaan has been known as the only barangay that holds such a festival.

During the press conference, Soco said they were trying to find ways of helping the people who relied on broom-making as their main source of income.

“We are looking for ways how we can help them. Sa ato wa nay lubi (We can no longer see buri palm trees in our barangay),” said Soco.

Virgilio Aniel, who has been chairman of Paknaanon Multipurpose Cooperative for eight years, said the source of raw materials is not a problem for them.

He said they get buri fiber and bamboo, which is used for the handle of the broom, from the towns of Compostela and Liloan, and Danao City.

According to Aniel, they have three big distributors from Manila, Iloilo and Iligan City, where they have been sending 30,000 brooms monthly.

The Silhig Festival will be participated in by eight contingents, which are clustered groups from 24 zones.

A subsidy of P25,000 will be released to each of the contingents.

Michael Dabon, chairman of the executive committee, said they invited the business sector in the barangay to participate during the festival by fielding a float.

Some of the 15 candidates of Miss Paknaan were also presented to the media.

Miss Paknaan will be held on Feb 2 while Silhig Festival will be held on Feb. 11.

The first Paknaan Hymn composed by Frankie Jisultura was also heard yesterday.

Paknaan Barangay Captain Malaquias Soco said the broom-makers now get their raw materials, especially the buri fiber, from towns in northern Cebu. Palm trees, which used to grow in Paknaan, have given way to factories. Some of the trees were so old they had to be cut for the safety of residents.