TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Eastern Visayas regional office launched an intensive training initiative in Leyte to revitalize fiber-based handicraft production and create community-level value-added livelihoods.
Master Training Pool Built to Expand Community Workshops
The agency completed a specialized "training of trainers" program in Southern Leyte from September 1 to 4, 2026, ahead of scheduled rollouts across Leyte province from September 8 to 11:
Technical Skill Development: Expert craftspeople from Antique trained 25 local participants across design, assembly, finishing, and quality control using durable abaca twine.
Regional Skill Transfer: The newly certified master trainers will partner with local government units to conduct direct community-level workshops in fiber-producing municipalities.
Capacity Building Goals: PhilFIDA Regional Director Joseph Salas noted that the effort establishes a localized pool of instructors capable of scaling eco-friendly handicraft production across Eastern Visayas.
Value Addition Strengthens Leyte Peninsula Abaca Economy
The initiative aligns with the Department of Agriculture’s national strategy to boost raw fiber valuation and support agricultural families:
Regional Production Strength: Southern Leyte leads Eastern Visayas abaca production with 1,457 metric tons annually, while Leyte ranks third with over 606 metric tons of fiber output.
Promoting Eco-Friendly Enterprise: Converting raw Manila hemp into functional, marketable school bags promotes sustainable, community-based enterprises while providing supplementary household income.
