Weavers get aid from DTI, Didipio

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has forged ties with OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (OGPI)-Didipio Mine to provide livelihood opportunities to local weavers.

The DTI Nueva Vizcaya, led by Provincial Director Marieta Salviejo, said it has tightened a pact with Didipio Mine in response to the commitment to develop and sustain the community through the provision of livelihood opportunities.

Earlier, the Didipio Mine, led by Community Development-Livelihood and Social Enterprise Supervisor Vincent Flores, had a meeting with the DTI Nueva Vizcaya team which tackled possible programs and/ or activities for collaboration with the DTI Nueva Vizcaya team.

This led the DTI team to creatively coined and packaged the Project “Mun-Abol,” a local term used by the Kasibu town constituents which means “weave or to weave.”

Mun-Abol also stands for Maximizing network and Unveiling Natural talents through the Acceleration of Business Opportunities and Livelihood projects.

Salviejo said this encapsulates the activities identified during the meeting between the DTI team and the Didipio Mine.

She said these activities include upgrading skills training on loom weaving, skills training on fashion designing using loom woven products, facilitation of participation in various marketing events or trade fairs, and conduct of other entrepreneurial development pieces of training.

The Didipio Mine said these activities are expected to benefit the 60 community-based organizations (CBOs) they have been assisting.

These CBOs are different special sectors like the Indigenous Peoples, women and out-of-school youth from 11 villages surrounding the host village of Didipio in Kasibu.

Didipio Mine and DTI have agreed to come up with a work and activity plan to be coordinated with the focal persons and partner agencies.