SAN JOSE, Antique – Two products from the province bagged the top awards during the five-day Panublion Trade Fair at a mall in Iloilo City.
Iris Ellaine Gail Dingcong, officer of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Antique, said the table utensils made of bamboo materials won as the “best eco-luxury homestyle” while the “buri” shoulder bag won as the “best eco-luxury fashion and wearables” during a contest which wrapped up last week.
Dingcong added the table utensils were made by the Sibalom Bamboo Craft Makers Association and the shoulder bag was made by the United Group of Weavers.
She said micro small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) from the different provinces of Western Visayas participated in the Punublion Trade Fair organized by the DTI-6.
“I am inspired by the outcome of my newly innovated table utensils made of bamboo,” said Isaias Fabillo, head of the Sibalom Bamboo Craft Makers Association.
“I make spoon, fork and table knife which I put inside a ‘buri’ pouch,” he added.
He said the materials for each set of utensils cost P100 while the “buri” pouch costs around P50.
“The selling price of a set of utensils with pouch is P250,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jhon Wilson Hernaez of the United Group of Weavers said the “buri” shoulder bag is a product of their creativity and the technical assistance they received from DTI-Antique.
“DTI has taught us a good color combination to make our product more attractive,” Hernaez added, saying “buri” is abundant in the mountainous area of Anini-y, Antique.
“The judge chose our entry because it is purely made of natural material,” he said.
The selling price of a shoulder bag is P350 each, he added.
Aside from the shoulder bag, the United Group of Weavers, composed of 40 members mostly beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also makes shoeboxes and mats for their livelihood.(With a report from PNA/PN)
