06/10/2025
๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐น๐ผ๐ผ๐บ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐ง๐ฏ๐ผ๐น๐ถ, ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ผ
In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.โs vision to strengthen the agriculture sector and promote sustainable livelihood opportunities, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), under the leadership of Executive Director Arnold โAliโ I. Atienza, conducted a Skills Training on Basic Cotton Handloom Weaving, at Barangay Salacafe, Tboli, South Cotabato. The five-day training gathered 15 women from the Salacafe Women Organization, equipping them with fundamental weaving techniques and entrepreneurial skills to transform local cotton fibers into valuable handwoven products.
The activity was led by Ms. Jenny Rondina, Provincial Fiber Officer of South Cotabato, with expert guidance from seasoned handloom weavers Ms. Karen Cayawan and Mr. Arthur Gulili from Polomolok, South Cotabato. Participants engaged in intensive hands-on sessions on thread winding, warping, drafting, denting, and basic weaving culminating in the production of scarves, malongs, and tubaos. The initiative also aims to empower women in Barangay Salacafe, a community near Lake Holon, to start small weaving enterprises and elevate their crafts for local and tourism markets.
During the Culmination Program held on September 19, 2025, local officials including Brgy. Captain Juneto Baway, OMAG-Tboli OIC Ms. Ailene Malasador, and HVCP Coordinator Mr. Leo Zernan Castillo joined the closing ceremony. Brgy. Captain Baway expressed his support through a โฑ5,000.00 seed fund for the association, while OMAG-Tboli distributed farm tools and vegetable seeds to further sustain their livelihood.
Through this initiative, PhilFIDA continues to advance its mandate of revitalizing the countryโs natural fiber industry, empowering rural women, and promoting Filipino weaving heritage.
