Janiuay rediscovers abaca
* The Tuburan Abaca Weavers Association (TAWA) revived and managed this town's One Town One Product (OTOP) seen to increase the income of rural families in the area
Abaca, indigenous to the Philippines, belongs to the "hard" fiber group and is widely called Manila hemp. Considered as the most valuable of all fibers, abaca is used generally for cordage purposes. This naturally grown plant, to the untrained eye, can easily be mistaken for a banana plant without a fruit. Abaca has been cultivated in the Philippines since the 1500s and became known worldwide in the 1800s mainly due to its usage as ropes in ship rigging. Its superior qualities is being extremely strong and durable; resistant to salt water; can be made into many hard-wearing products; has a beautiful texture when made into hats and other products ; biodegradable and eco-friendly; and, relatively cheap to produce.
Iloilo is considered as one of the largest abaca fiber-producing provinces in the region due to the thriving industry operating especially in Janiuay, a town situated in the central part of the province, 29 kilometers away from Iloilo City. Janiuay measures 17,910 hectares and has an enormous area of good abaca land and where opportunities for production are increasing.
In Barangay Tuburan, seven kilometers away from the poblacion and one of the Janiuay's 60 barangays, the abaca industry was revived through the support of Taytay Sang Kauswagan Incorporated (TKSI), considered the country's largest and most outstanding Micro-Finance Institution and a non-stock, non-profit Christian development organization.
The Tuburan Abaca Weavers Association (TAWA) a newly-registered group managed by Captain Flora Insulente, a weaver herself, revived and managed this town's One Town One Product (OTOP) seen to increase the income of rural families in the area. Presently with 26 member-weavers, mostly women and out-of-school youth trained on handicrafts, earn their living by transforming abaca fibers (abundantly grown in Barangay Quipot) into unique, functional and creative designs for bags, coin purses, slippers, Christmas decors, placemats, baskets and other gift items. The local government of Janiuay through the efforts of their ever-supportive mayor, Hon. Bienvenido Margarico is in full force helping in the marketing of their products by joining local and national trade and tourism fairs and incorporating it in their annual festival also called LANOT Festival held every January.
Abaca fiber is considered as one of the most important and profitable agricultural produce of the province and is expected to continue making a stronghold in both domestic and international markets. For a number of years, it was reported that it comprised approximately two-thirds of the total export trade of the country (Abaca in the Philippines, Saleeby Murab M.)
The provincial government is making its share in the campaign towards the awareness and interest of the fiber that is now growing in popularity in terms of its usage and as an environment-friendly material. Programs and projects geared towards strengthening Iloilo's position as one of the top producer and supplier of quality abaca nationwide are being undertaken in order to reach new major consuming provinces so that new markets will open up resulting to the production of high value products and most importantly, employment opportunities to the people of Iloilo.