DAR and PHILFIDA Partnership Boosts Tuburan Abaca Handicrafts Association
To enhance the livelihood of agrarian reform beneficiaries, DAR Iloilo, in partnership with the Philippine Fiber Industry and Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Regional Satellite Office 6, has joined forces to empower the Tuburan Abaca Handicrafts Association (TAHA) in Brgy. Tuburan, Janiuay, Iloilo.
TAHA, a DAR-assisted Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organization (ARBO), recently became a beneficiary of DAR's Sustainable Livelihood Support (SLS) Program. The association was provided with an Abaca Stripping Machine, worth 200,000 pesos. This support aims to streamline and improve the traditional process of abaca fiber extraction, which will significantly lessen the laborious process of making abaca products.
Recognizing the need to maximize the potential of the equipment, DAR Iloilo initiated an Abaca Stripping Machine Operation and Maintenance Training for TAHA in collaboration with PhilFIDA. The training, conducted by Mr. Tarcesio J. Nervar Jr., Technical Assistance Unit Head, and Narlito Celso E. Ocayo, Regulatory Unit Head of PhilFIDA, covered essential aspects of abaca farming, management practices, and the proper operation of the abaca stripping machine.
The collaboration also included a hands-on workshop on abaca harvesting techniques, providing TAHA's skilled artisans and weavers with valuable insights into the entire abaca production process. The training covered everything from topping and tumbling the abaca plants to the meticulous extraction of fibers through techniques such as tuxying and stripping.
Mrs. Linda Predonio, bookkeeper of TAHA, expressed her gratitude for the transformative impact of the abaca stripping machine on their daily operations. The machine automates the labor-intensive process of separating fibers from the abaca plant, significantly reducing physical strain on workers. This not only improves working conditions but also ensures a more consistent and higher-quality output.
In a message, PBDD Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer, Celina C. Candoleta, encouraged TAHA members to maximize the support services provided to them. She emphasized the importance of leveraging support from various CARP partner agencies. CARPO Candoleta highlighted the need for a stable market to sustain the gains of these support services and ensure the long-term success of TAHA.
DAR Iloilo reaffirms its commitment to delivering equitable support services to ARB organizations in the province. The goal is to enable these organizations, like TAHA, to become resilient, enterprising, and sustainable contributors to the agricultural landscape. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, DAR Iloilo aims to uplift the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries and create a sustainable agricultural sector in the province.
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