Project Bayong in Barili, Cebu

In line with the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of the Philippine government, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will launch the “Project Bayong”, a job generating activity, at the Barili Gymnasium in Cebu province on February 10, 2009 at 9:00 in the morning.

This project aims to develop the abundant raw material and the existing skills in Barili into a product (a hand-woven bag or “Bayong”) which has a potential demand both for local and export market.

The municipality of Barili has been chosen by DTI as a launch site for the project in Cebu because Barili is noted for its “bayong” craftsmanship, making use of local pandan material.

”Project Bayong”, which highlights the hand-woven native bag made of pandan, rattan or buri, takes into consideration the environmental aspect where there is a growing worry over billions of plastic bags polluting the environment, clogging canals and littering the streets.

In China , Project Bayong’s prospective market, there is a move to ban the use of plastic bags and a shift towards the use of native baskets and/ or reusable cloth bags for shopping.

DTI is currently drawing-up plans, provide strategic interventions and mobilize craftsmen nationwide to boost mass production of quality “bayong.”



Trainings lined up for Barili include: (1) Basic Skills in bayong weaving to have more new weavers; (2) Upgrading Skills Training to those who have been currently weaving but need a skills upgrade; and (3) Training on Dyeing Techniques where various colors could be integrated to increase the “bayong’s” marketability.

According to DTI, the main goal of the project is to seek the support of Local Government Units and NGOs to provide sustainable livelihood and income-generating opportunities and establish more entrepreneurs who will help and strengthen communities in facing the global crisis.

CLEEP is one among several poverty alleviation government programs viewed as an immediate solution to the country's burgeoning unemployment problem and as an immediate response to the global economic crisis.