A few of the men in Barangay Sapal contribute to making the Peoples’ Handicraft and Processed Food Center a viable community-based enterprise by actively participating in handicrafts-making, particularly in the areas of design development, maintenance of equipment, and in the quality control of finished products. Greg Verde and Dennis Efondo, both members of the Sapal Weavers Association, provide advise on how to make the bags and mats stronger and more durable, by suggesting other raw materials that can be mixed with the baryos leaves. The men have also been trained in the minor repair and maintenance of the newly installed sewing machines.
The improved designs that have led to a more competitive product line and enabled the association to penetrate new markets. LGSP-LED provided support for the association to participate in the Panubli-on Fair organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 6 in Makati City on June 1-8, 2011. During the fair, the association showcased product prototypes that were developed with the assistance of DTI and LGSP-LED. It generated interest from exporters, especially on baryos and buri bags. The group was also able to tie up with a local resort to supply the resort, on cash on delivery basis, with slippers that it offers for use of guests as part of its complimentary service.
In line with the Province’s objective to operationalize its agritourism circuit, the LED Initiative in Guimaras is to enhance the management capacity of Community-Based Rural Tourism (CBRT) enterprises in order to increase the income of community members, as well as preserve and promote cultural tourism in the province. Demonstration CBRT enterprises fosters, among others, the generation of productive and profitable jobs for women whose access to employment in rural areas is highly constrained. LGSP-LED’s assistance in Guimaras is focused on two CBRT model sites which have been identified as priority sites among the five pilot projects for a province-wide CBRT network, namely: Baranagay Sapal People’s Handicraft and Processed Food Center in San Lorenzo, and Barangay Salvacion Hosting and Native Foods Center in Buenavista.
Member LGUs:
Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, Sibunag
For more information, contact:
Ms. Cecilia E. Ortiz
Provincial Economic Development Office (PEDO)
Province of Guimaras
www.guimaras.gov.ph