Legarda leads inauguration of PH Handloom Weaving Center

As her lifelong commitment to further champion the country’s rich culture through the preservation of local fabrics and textiles, Senator Loren Legarda graced the inauguration of the Philippine Handloom Weaving Center (PHWC) in Taguig City on Monday, July 7.

The PHWC serves as the central and core facility for the conservation, protection, and development of handloom weaving. Situated inside the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institure (DOST-PTRI), the said facility showcases innovation in machines, systems and processes, weave designs, and product quality assessment, among many others.

In her remarks, Legarda underscored the event as a celebration that highlights the Filipino culture, artistry, resilience, and history as a nation. According to her, the facility does not only strengthen the weaving industry, but also sustains the longevity and welfare of many weavers and farmers across the country.

“Binibigyan natin ng pag-asa ang mga komunidad na walang pagod na nagtataguyod sa ating kultura, mga kamay na patuloy na humahabi hindi lamang ng tela kundi ng mga kwento ng ating nakaraan, nagsisilbing pag-asa para sa kinabukasan at nagiging daan para sa mas maayos na kabuhayan,” she said.

“That’s why I wear Filipino weaves with pride and humility as I honor the hands that planted, harvested, and created them. I wear these weaves carrying the dreams, the struggles, and the identity of our people,” the senator added.

The four-term senator also noted that work and responsibility go beyond just wearing the Filipino culture. She emphasized the need to collectively ensure that indigenous farmers are assured of support and opportunities amidst various technological advancements.

As a Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture bestowed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Legarda advocated for various programs and initiatives that protected the country’s diverse heritage. She pushed for the enactment of the Philippine Tropical Fabric Law, which mandated the use of locally made fabrics in government uniforms. She also filed the Philippine Handloom Weaving Industry Development Act, which aims to empower weavers and develop the local textile sector.

The senator has also worked with various government agencies and localities to provide training, equipment, raw materials, and sustainable fiber farming to communities nationwide. These include the establishment of regional weaving centers located in Antique, Iloilo, Ilocos Norte, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, South Cotabato, and Ifugao, to name a few.

“Every weaving center built, every training completed, every exhibition held, from the country’s first permanent textile gallery, the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles, to the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Travelling Exhibit, to fairs like the National Arts and Crafts Fair, we are boosting investments on our culture bridging our past, present, and future,” she conveyed.

Likewise, Legarda highlighted the importance of convergence among different sectors in society to boost communities and local industries, starting with the production of raw resources, the creation of textiles, and the marketing of products.

“Let us continue to open doors of opportunities for learning, knowledge-sharing, and skills development so that we expand our weaving communities and local textile industries, as we strengthen a tradition that is a symbol of our national pride,” Legarda concluded in her speech. (30)