Town adopts Abaca as prime product under OTOP

The town of  Janiuay, Iloilo has recently identified abaca or locally known as “lanot” as its chief product under the One –Town – One – Product (OTOP) program .  OTOP  is a priority program of the administration of President Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs.

Through OTOP, the local chief executives of every city and municipality, takes the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

Janiuay Mayor Bienvenido P. Margarico issued Executive Order No. 2005-22, seeking for the immediate implementation of the town's OTOP program through the creation of “Lanot” Festival's ad hoc committee.

The “Lanot Festival” takes the place of their previous festival which was “Sadsad sa Kalye”, to remind the populace “that abaca plant is still abundant in the mountain barangays and should be propagated”.

The Executive Order also stipulates that “an all-out support in any manner for this  unique fiber could mean the generation of jobs, thus alleviating the difficult economic situation of the Janiuaynons.”

Residents feel that the selection of Lanot as the town's main product is appropriate, more so that Lanot bears significance and wisdom in their culture.

The usefulness of abaca or Manila hemp dates back to the Hispanic times when Spanish galleons ran their docking cordage with abaca ropes.Since then, abaca fiber had been sought for, due to its durability (saltwater resistance), strength and versatility.

Abaca grows best on the slopes of volcanic mountains.  The useful fibers are stripped off and dried.  The fibers are then combed-out into yarns through the crude method called “Kirigi”.  The yarns are then twisted into strands, and a number of strands make up a rope.

While the LGU renders all the necessary support and assistance to  the promotion of the product, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), under the OTOP scheme, is at hand to provide the necessary support for the LGUs, together with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of land Reform, Department of Tourism, Technical Education Skills Development Authority. (CDIO/PIA 6)