The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) regional office here is pushing for abaca bag making as an alternative livelihood in Leyte provinces as part of an effort to revitalize fiber-based handicrafts in the province.
PhilFIDA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Joseph Salas said in a phone interview on Monday that they have completed a training of trainers in Southern Leyte for school bag making on Sept. 1 to 4. They are scheduled to roll out the training in Leyte on Sept. 8 to 11.
“The capacity-building activity aimed not only to develop participants’ skills in producing abaca-based products but also to establish a pool of trainers capable of sharing these skills with communities across Leyte provinces and other parts of Eastern Visayas,” Salas said.
The agency tapped experts from Antique for the 25 trainers to learn more about various stages of abaca school bag production, including design, assembly, finishing and quality control. They completed the required outputs and produced durable and functional school bags using locally produced abaca twine.
The newly trained participants now form an additional pool of abaca handicraft trainers who can help bring skills development closer to fiber-producing communities. The agency will roll out that training with the support of local government units.
The initiative supports the broader efforts of the Department of Agriculture under Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and PhilFIDA Executive Director Arnold Atienza to strengthen the Philippine abaca industry, revitalize fiber-based handicrafts and create additional livelihood opportunities through value addition.
“By transforming abaca twine into useful, marketable and environmentally friendly products, the training demonstrates the potential of natural fibers to generate income while promoting sustainable community-based enterprises,” Salas added.
Southern Leyte is the top producer of abaca in Eastern Visayas. In 2024, the province logged a 1,457 metric tons (MT) yield. Leyte ranks third with 606.16 MT output. Abaca, commonly known as Manila hemp, holds significant economic importance in the region. (PNA)
