Aklan weaving industry headed for better times

KALIBO, Aklan – The local weaving industry has been given a "shot-in-the-arm" in the form of new technologies infused by the government.

Where before local cloth weavers used traditional techniques in their trade, now they have adopted improved processes introduced by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Moreover, the revival of the natural dye industry in the fashion world has influenced many weaving firms in the province to explore dye-yielding plants as source of dye for fabrics.

Typical example is the La Herminia Piña Weaving, Inc. (LHPWI) here.

Before the intervention of DOST’s Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), the LHPWI produced only plain woven abaca and piña cloth. Production of colored fabrics using synthetic dyes was minimal.

With an increasing demand for natural dyed fabrics and environment-friendly technologies, the company decided to establish a mini dyeing laboratory in 2001. It utilizes indigenous dye plants.

Dr. Carlos Tomboc, PTRI director, reported that the institute has so far introduced different pattern designs and weaving techniques to LHPWI.

This resulted in significant improvements in fabric products and enabled the LHPWI to participate in trade fairs, exhibits, and trade missions.

By simply upgrading its two harness looms into four, and availing itself of on-the-job training on basic and advanced handloom weaving and other textile technological courses, LHPWI has gained recognition as one of the finest producers of intricate handloom piña/silk fabrics.

It has proved the versatility of Philippine indigenous fabrics, particularly piña, silk, and abaca as good fiber materials for dresses, barongs, and accessories.

Moreover, where before LHPWI marketed its products only to Lumban (Laguna) embroiders, today its customers include about 30 fashion designers, walk-in clients, and local/foreign tourists.

For instance, widely known here is the fact that when a lady-Cabinet member of the Estrada administration got married, she sourced the clothing materials of her wedding gown from LHPWI.

Aside from materials for gowns and barongs, the company produces materials for handbags, pouch bags, throw pillow cases, shawls, scarves, and other accessories, said Alan Tumbokon, LHPWI production manager.

He said most LHPWI’s products are marketed in Metro Manila. The naturally dyed hand-woven fabrics are also being exported to Japan.

Tumbokon briefed officials of DOST and members of the national and local media (including this writer) who took part in the launching of the nationwide, year-long (2003) "DOST Technology Transfer Roadshow" last Jan. 29-30.

The roadshow aims to highlight the government’s S&T intervention to help micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSME) across the country to develop and prosper. Its first leg covered Western Visayas (Region 6).

The LHPWI is one of the scores of MSMEs that have been provided S&T interventions by DOST to help them generate more employment for people, particularly those in the countryside.

"LHPWI has not only kept a traditional art but also provided livelihood to its people," DOST stressed. "The weavers acknowledge the fact that the firm they work for helps in preserving their cultural tradition, piña being considered as a cultural treasure by most of the Filipinos."