By Raymart Escopel
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas strobgly supports the fiber production industry of Tapaz, Capiz by implementing Kurambos or Tubong-Tubong Project in the municipality.
On September 1, DOLE-6 turned over seven units if stripping machines and 200 pieces of standardized stripping knives worth about P1 million to two indigenous people (IP) organizations in Tapaz.
The equipment will be utilized for the production of dried abaca fiber.
The Tubong-Tubong Project in Tapaz is expected to operate by the fourth quarter of this year when the abaca plants will be ready for harvesting after they were affected by super typhoon âYolandaâ [international name: Haiyan] last year.
The beneficiaries of the program were the Mt. Angas Abaca Planters Association (MAAPA) and the Maliao Abaca Planters Association (MAPA) of Barangays Hilwan and Maliao, respectively.
In a press release, DOLE-6 Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom said that aside from Tapaz, the Department also identified four areas in Panay namely, Libacao in Aklan, San Remigio in Antique, and Tubungan in Iloilo. However, the project only took off in Tubungan and Tapaz.
Ligutom also encouraged the IP beneficiaries to discuss among themselves their concerns and bring them up to the stakeholders to strengthen their respective organizations and for the successful implementation of the project.
On his part, Col. Eric Uchida of the 3IB Philippine army lauded DOLEâs effort in introducing the Tubong-Tubong Project in the area.
âOur problems in the mountainous areas cannot be solved through war but through peaceful means,â he furthered.
Meanwhile, Daniel Sunio, president of the Maliao Abaca Plantersâ Association (MAPA), urged the members of the organization to cooperate and give their full support in order to make the project a success./PN
