BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (April 20)—British FCF Minerals Corp. has initiated a loom weaving project in its host Barangay (village) Runruno in Quezon town for the indigenous peoples (IPs) under its social development management program (SDMP).
James Carmichael, FCF Minerals country manager, the company’s project is in partnership with the Barangay Runruno Local Government Unit to preserve and promote the culture and traditions of the Ifugao and Igorot tribes of Runruno villages and its adjacent IP villages.
Carmichael said they tapped accredited loom weavers in Kayapa town to share their knowledge and skills with the members of the Runruno Indigenous Peoples Organization (RIPO) of Quezon town.
The Kayapa Loom Weavers Association (KLWA), an accredited organization of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), led by loom weavers Lorena Ampey and Melinda Macarto trained at least nine RIPO members.
Carmichael said the training for the RIPO members was aimed at teaching the rudiments of loom weaving and styles of the craft that will be used for their livelihood.
Catalina Maanao, IP mandatory representative to the Runruno Barangay Council, said they are grateful to the KLWA for sharing their knowledge to their RIPO members.
“We have planned to supply native costumes to other barangays of Quezon for the members of the RIPO, also for them to have extra income,” Maanao said. She said trained RIPO members can now use the loom weaving machine to produce quality products that will be sold to their fellow IPs to further promote their culture and tradition.