ILAW: New enterprise with Manila Hemp

The training’s participants doing the different steps in making abaca slippers

 A 3-day skills training on slipper making made up of Manila Hemp or abaca was provided by the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Sorsogon in partnership with Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority to thirty five (35) rural women and members of ILAW or Inlagadian Livelihood Association of Women in Casiguran, Sorsogon. 

In this training, the participants were taught by Lolite Vibar from PhilFIDA how to make abaca braid and sawali which are the basic parts of abaca slippers. 

“We chose this project for the ILAW because there are Abakaleros in their area who will also benefit if the association becomes successful in this venture, especially that the resource speaker told them that she will buy their produce if they can comply her requirements,” Anna Mae A. Ebuenga, ARPO II/Technical Assistant for Casiguran said. 

The main objective of this training is to provide the participants the basic skills and techniques in abaca based products and introduce a livelihood activity that will stimulate economic activity in the area thereby promoting employment and income opportunities. 

“The usual practice of Abaca farmers in Casiguran to earn from Manila Hemp is produce fibers and sell it. With this livelihood training, women’s skills will be developed till they become producers of marketable products such as slippers and other items according to the specifications of the buyers,” Leonito M. Gaveria, OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II said. Knowledge on quality control and costing were also included in the training in order for the participants to acquire skills, ability, better understanding, and appreciation in making abaca slippers an enterprise.