Protect Indigenous Weaving in 35th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series

MANILA, 15 February 2021 — Indigenous weaving advocates will gather virtually to promote appreciation of traditional and ecosystem-based livelihoods and share information on ways to enhance the resilience of rural livelihoods to the pandemic and climate crisis on the 35th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” with the topic “Protect Indigenous Weaving!” This is the first of the four-part episode which focuses on supporting resilient livelihoods.

The episode, hosted by three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 18 February 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl and facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda.

Joining the online conversation are Virginia Doligas, general manager of Easter Weaving Room Inc.; Anya Lim, co-founder of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery; and Atty. Emerson Cuyo, director of Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO) to discuss how to preserve and protect our local weaving patterns against counterfeit and giving indigenous peoples (IPs) a voice through intellectual property rights.

In previous episodes, the online series tackled the role of the traditional weaving and crafts industry in providing environmentally-sustainable and viable livelihood options to communities, while preserving cultural heritage and local craftspersonship.

For this episode, Legarda and esteemed guests will call on the families, local governments and the general public to support and protect the country’s traditional and indigenous weaving industry.

Legarda filed House Resolution No. 1549 urging the Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the issue of counterfeit garments appropriating weave patterns from the Cordillera coming into the local markets from abroad to further strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and cultural heritage of our IPs and communities.

Legarda also filed House Bill 7811 or “An Act Safeguarding the Traditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples”, which aims to create a comprehensive cultural archive that will organize an inventory of all cultural properties of the different ethnolinguistic groups of the Philippines. The said Bill also mandates the payment of royalties for the use of the cultural property of the IPs.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. ###