DTI gives P620k for weavers association
BIEN-UNIDO, BOHOL — The Department of Trade and Industry has poured a total of P620,000 for various equipment under the Shared Service Facility for Bien-Unido Weavers Association (BUWSA) to produce more ‘bayong’ or bags made of native raw materials.
DTI-Region 7 Director Aster Caberte, Bohol 2nd District Representative Aris Aumentado, Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel and his wife, Mayor Gisel Boniel inaugurated the SSF last week with Father Omamalin blessing the equipment and the building located at the back of this town’s cultural/sports center.
The event was witnessed by BUWSA president, who is the mother of PB Member Boniel, along with members of the association, other officials, and DTI-7 personnel.
The SSF equipment included the following: Mechanical dryer for Romblon materials worth P470,000; edging sewing machine (P28,000); elbow sewing machine (P65,000); embroidery machine (P34,000); and digital weighing scale (P12,000).
With SSF, the association expected an inclusive growth of their members to produce more than 500 more “bayong” with an earning of about P30,000 a month, from their usual 200 bayongs with only P7,000 in income.
With this, DTI and the association and the municipal government signed a memorandum of agreement detailing the responsibilities of every party under the usufruct agreement, which means that the DTI-7 will take back the equipment when these are no longer used by the BUWSA.
The DTI has been helping the association in product development program and marketing.
BUWSA, registered with the Department of Labor and Employment under certificate no. 4138 on July 1, 2009 is now generating 47 jobs and promises to have more members in the future.