BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya (September 11, 2023)—To officially seal the deal to boost the Indigenous Peoples’ creative industry called “Mun-Abol” in this upland town, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this province signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Canadian OceanaGold’s Didipio Mines to also revitalize the culture of the IPs and ethnic groups.
Also partners under the MoA, which sets in motion the groundwork of Project Mun-Abol (Maximizing Network and Unveiling Natural Talents through Acceleration of Business Opportunities and Livelihood) were the municipal local government of Kasibu, the barangay local government of Capisaan and the Alayan Pag-asa Abot-Palad Association.
Manilyn Castañeda Ponce, DTI Region 2 information officer, explained that the word Mun-Abol is a local term used by residents of Kasibu which means “weave or to weave” describing exactly the main livelihood activity of the members of the Alayan Pag-asa Abot-Palad Association.
The association is a beneficiary under the DTI’s shared service facility program, particularly the loom weaving project, one of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc.’s assisted community-based organizations under its Indigenous Peoples Revitalization Program.
Ponce said the Project Mun-Abol which also promotes the empowerment of women encapsulates various activities.
These activities include the establishment of a weaving/training center, the conduct of upgrading skills training on loom weaving, skills training on fashion designing using loom woven products, participation in various marketing events/trade fairs and the conduct of other entrepreneurial development training.
DTI Nueva Vizcaya Director Marietta Salviejo said the agency is encouraging all stakeholders to work together in introducing Mun-Abol as one of Kasibu’s finest crafts/brands.
This is in addition to all the town’s titles such as the Citrus Capital of Luzon, home to various unique and majestic tourist attractions such as the Capisaan Cave, and source of one of Nueva Vizcaya’s finest coffee products, among others.
Mayor Romeo Tayaban and Desiree Baldevino, OceanaGold’s External Affairs and Communication superintendent, the IPs’ hard work, discipline and cooperation will ensure the success of this project.
Vincent Flores, OceanaGold’s Community Development supervisor, said the mining firm is partnering with the association in the establishment of a weaving facility this month.
“This facility will also serve as a training center not only for the members of the association but for the entire community, especially the youth to enrich the creative weaving industry among the IPs of this municipality,” Flores said.