The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority’s (PhilFIDA) Fiber Utilization and Technology Division (FUTD), led by Officer-in-Charge Ms. Concepcion D. Jocson, in partnership with PhilFIDA Regional Office VII and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maria, Siquijor, conducted a 3-day Livelihood Training on Salago Handmade Paper Making on September 3-5, 2024, at Mama Rose Agricultural Farm, Cantugbas, Maria, Siquijor. This initiative aimed to provide participants with skills to produce handmade paper from salago bark, offering an alternative source of income. Salago, abundant in Siquijor Province, is traded for its bark and fiber, which are sold to Cebu.

Participants included women’s associations from Maria, barangay tanods, barangay health workers (BHWs), and LGU personnel. Representatives from other agencies also attended, such as Eng. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Ms. Ivy Faye Q. Samson from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and Ms. Azineth Z. Tancogo from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Maria. They joined in learning the techniques and methods for transforming salago bark into valuable handmade paper products.

Key facilitators from PhilFIDA included Ms. Fritzie Concepcion, Provincial Fiber Officer (PFO) of Siquijor, Ms. Nena Locsin, PFO of Negros Oriental, and Ms. Mariton Fema S. Tirambulo, Fiber Development Officer I from Negros Oriental. The training was further supported by PhilFIDA FUTD members, Mr. Elvince T. Bernardo, Chemist III, and Mr. Camilo J. Del Prado, Jr., Laboratory Technician, who assisted Ms. Jocson in guiding the participants through the process.

#PhilFIDA
#HIBLAFarming
#ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas