FITS Nabas pushes for bariw products devt

By Salvacion Villasis
Regional Applied Communications
Aklan State University

To teach bariw processors of Nabas, Aklan on the potentials and marketability of their handicrafts and products, the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center Nabas hosted a dialogue on Product and Market Development for Bariw Crops Nov. 5, 2009 at the Nabas Municipal Hall in Nabas, Aklan.

The initiative benefited some 27 women members of Nabas Multipurpose Cooperative headed by their president, Rhuna F. Tigbos.

(Clockwise from top left) RTG Coordinator Ana Mae Relingo briefs participants on Techno Gabay; LGU and ASU officials listen to speakers; a consumer examines sample bariw bags; and women members of Nabas Multipurpose Cooperative attend the dialogue.

Led by the Aklan State University (ASU), partner member agency of the Western Visayas Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), the initiative also sought to highlight the importance of product and market development, and improve the quality of life of the local bariw processors. Stella Caldera, trade and industry development specialist from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan served as the resource person.

A number of WESVARRDEC leaders supported the initiative including Regional Techno Gabay (RTG) Coordinator Anna Mae C. Relingo; ASU Techno Gabay Team Leader Clyde G. Abayon, Research and Development Services Director Elsa I. Abayon, Regional Management Information System Representative Lelisa J. Teodosio and Regional Applied Communication Representative Sally R. Villasis.

In his speech, Nabas Mayor Romeo Dalisay declared that the bariw industry is a tool that gives jobs and provides livelihood to the people of Nabas. In fact, bariw processing is considered the primary industry in Nabas, Aklan, where processors gain livelihood from making hats, mats, bags, wall decors, flower vases, accessories and other novelty items.