Handloom weavers in Barangay Nalasin, Paoay are gaining greater opportunities to improve their production and livelihood through a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Shared Service Facility (SSF).

For 58-year-old master weaver Leonila Rico, the initiative provides her and other fellow local weavers with access to equipment and resources that can help improve the productivity, product quality and the competitiveness of their traditional crafts.

“This newly-launched handloom shared service facility of the DTI Philippines is a big help because many weavers do not have their own looms,” she said in an interview on Tuesday.

For Rico and the other women weavers of Nalasin, loom weaving is more than a livelihood. It is part of the town’s cultural heritage.

“I started weaving in 1986. I have been weaving for 40 years now. Actually, I came from Samar and got married in Nalasin. It was a challenge for me marrying in a new place and weaving has become a source of livelihood to help my family,” she said.

Rico said traditional weaving almost died in Paoay due to scarce raw materials but thanks to government’s intervention, this heritage continues as weavers adapt products that cater not only to local but also to international markets.

The DTI Ilocos Norte said the project has a total investment of PHP1.17 million.

“The initiative is supported by PHP570,960 from the DTI-SSF Program and a PHP600,000 counterpart from the local government unit of Paoay for the renovation and housing of the facility,” the DTI said in a statement.

The project provides a range of modern and appropriate equipment, including modified counterbalance handlooms, a warping frame, bobbin winders, high-speed sewing machines, an overlock edging machine, a piping sewing machine, a movable display cabinet, working tables, folding chairs, and storage cabinets.

The equipment will be shared among the beneficiaries, enabling them to increase production capacity, improve productivity and product quality, and develop more market-ready Inabel products.

Through the project, the DTI and Paoay government led by mayor Sheilla Galano aim to strengthen the local handloom weaving industry, preserve the community’s weaving heritage, and create greater opportunities for local weavers and entrepreneurs.

Galano said the facility can also encourage more people, particularly younger residents, to consider weaving as a viable livelihood. (PNA)