ILOILO City – The Department of Tourism Region 6 has lauded the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute project championing the establishment of a Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) here.
This project aims to support the Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which manufacture garments, textile and allied products using various types of natural fiber blends.
DOT-6 regional director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas recently joined the operational planning workshop and presented the DOT-6 thrusts and activities for the local textile industry sector.
Catalbas stresses the importance of supporting the local products as it gives identity to the region. She added that through RYPIC, the production of locally-made textile, garments and other products will be further enhanced.
“DOT-6 believes that the establishment of Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center is one way of bringing back the interest in the textile industry of Western Visayas,” Director Catalbas said.
DOT-6 recently committed to provide necessary financial and technical support to training young weavers in Negros Occidental especially women and indigenous groups from Municipalities of Toboso, Valladolid and Bago City, Negros Occidental.
To promote the locally woven textiles, DOT-6 gives Hablon shawls and cloth for VIP guests in Western Visayas. Laminated hablon tea boxes and card holders were given as welcome gifts for the ASEAN delegates. During travel fairs, DOT-6 sponsors loom weaving demonstrations. Meanwhile, weaving centers are part of the familiarization tours, media coverage and paid tour itineraries to raise awareness and provide in-depth knowledge about the Western Visayas weaving industry.
Various fashion fairs showcasing the hand-woven hablon creations have been sponsored by the DOT Region VI. These fashion show events include the annual Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair in August, Pasundayag at Northphil Expo 2018 at Clark Pampanga on Nov. 17, 2018, Gwapa/Gwapo at Grand Xing Imperial Hotel, Iloilo on March 25, 2017 and the Habol Ilonggo: A Heritage of Traditional Weaving at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia on June 24, 2017./PN
