One Town, One Product program boosts Antique loom weaversâ income
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique â The One Town, One Product (OTOP) program of the municipality of Bugasong in Antique has improved the livelihood of its loom weavers.
Bagtason Loom Weavers Association (BLWA) President Mario Manzano said in an interview Tuesday that the municipal government identified loom weaving, particularly of âpatadyongâ (checkered loose skirt), as their OTOP.
The livelihood provides them with P50,000 in financial support for their threads, weaving machines, and other needs.
âThrough the OTOP, the BLWA was also able to participate in trade fairs and other promotional events,â Manzano said.
He added that with the support they are getting from the local government unit and national government, through the help of Senator Loren Legarda and Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda, more housewives and residents in their municipality are encouraged to engage in loom weaving as their livelihood.
âSenator Legarda has been helping connect us with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and other government agencies so we could also avail funding for our building and training,â Manzano said.
Currently, 24 women, mostly housewives, and nine males are into loom weaving as their livelihood, helping BLWA meet its orders.
âHousewives find loom weaving flexible for them because they could do it right in their homes,â Manzano said.
The increased number of weavers helped BLWA produce 25 meters of the patadyong cloth monthly from the previous 15 meters.
Weavers earn P175 per meter from their patadyong, which the BLWA sells for P350 per meter.
âHalf of the income goes to the BLWA for us to buy our weaving machines and for the maintenance of our weaving center,â Manzano said.
Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2024803/one-town-one-product-program-boosts-antique-loom-weavers-income