Product dev’t workshop for IP women weavers in Paquibato District launched

The training which commenced on August 25 at Sitio Pegdalahan, Barangay Pandaitan  served 12 barangays with Ata communities under the IP Women’s Association of Paquibato.

The city through Peace 911 has partnered with Chinese Consulate General in Davao to realize the said program which involves weaving of baskets such as Liyang (basket used for planting and harvesting), Bukog (basket for organizing their clothes), Loban (basket used to keep things within their household), Tahakan (where cooked rice and corn are placed). 

Apart from the weaving of baskets, dressmaking and beads-making are also among the identified products of the IP Women.  

Alma Omo, the president of Ata Women Association of Paquibato said the program is really a big help for the women to help provide for the needs of their families, on top of the jobs they already have.

She said the said project aims to preserve the culture of the tribe, especially to lead the children into loving their cultural identity.

The products will be displayed at the Almacen Alternative Marketing Center located in Catalunan Pequeño. It will be displayed alongside the products of the Ovu Manobo, Matigsalug, Bagobo-Klata, and Bagogo-Tagabawa tribes. Some will also be displayed at the Kadayawan Village in Magsaysay Park. 

Omo thanked the city government and its partners for the support and promised to do their best to sustain the program.

The women’s federation was initially established in 2020. Peace 911 has supported its livelihood program, having donated a total of three sewing machines. The federation also received two sewing machines from TADECO. 

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also conducted a sewing workshop just recently to 25 IP women.

The Chinese Consulate General, Consul Li Lin, in a statement said that the discussion and the project design started during the term of Vice President Sara Duterte when she was the City Mayor then as one measure for economic recovery against the backdrop of the pandemic.

“Apart from training that we can assist the local women to pass their heritage and skills from the older to the younger generation, we can also improve people’s livelihood,” Lin said. 

He added that they are also helping the women to set up their website and Facebook page to promote their products.

Lin said he hopes to partner with the City Tourism Office to promote the products of IPs to visitors, local, and foreign.

Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, meanwhile, said that he is thankful for the project as it empowers women. 

“What is good about this project is that you will be the one who will maintain and will open the opportunities that you will nurture the projects for your own benefit. Through the Local Government and the help of the Consul General Li Lin and the People’s Republic of China, we aim to empower all the women here,”Duterte said. 

Duterte said the IP culture and tradition is priceless and must be preserved.