P43M worth of SSF handloom weaving project brings positive impact to CTU-Cebu campuses

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

ARGAO, Cebu – Ownership of the shared service facility (SSF) containing 25 units of handloom weaving machines worth P4.525 million were officially transferred to the Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Argao, Cebu Campus on June 22 in a turnover and launching program after more than five years of sustainably operating and managing the facility in accordance to the objectives of the project set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI-7 records nine SSFs were given to the CTU campuses in Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Danao, Carmen and at its main campus in Cebu City with total projects cost of over P43.0 million. 

“This shows that CTU is a competent partner because they deliver results and help us push innovation in entrepreneurship,” DTI7 regional director Maria Elena Arbon said during the CTU-Argao turnover ceremonies.

According to Jojisilia Villamor, DTI7 regional information officer that the SSF project with CTU-Argao was launched in 2016 with 20 units of loom weaving machines in various dimensions worth P825,000.  CTU and DTI also signed into a usufruct and memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the SSF upgrading of additional equipment including another unit of computerized embroidery machine and five sets of loom weaving machines worth P2.0 million for 2022.

DTI-7 data showed that from 2016 to 2019, CTU-Argao has hired 22 weavers, 45 finishers, seven sewers and collaborated with 27 MSMEs. From P420,000 annual sales in 2016, the cooperator has increased its sales to P3,470,000 in 2019 and DTI-7 upgraded the facility with two units of computerized embroidery machine worth P1.8 million.

“Now, we’re also reaping the seeds we sowed.  The progress may not be instant but there is progress after operations were halted during the pandemic,” Arbon said.

Arbon added that the SSF boosts the productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Cebu province by giving them access to better technologies and more sophisticated equipment.

CTU president, Dr. Rosein Ancheta, Jr, in his message said that this partnership has helped the university attain social and economic development on a shared project. The CTU-Argao is run by the community extension team of CTU-Hinablon sa Cebu Handwoven in Argao social enterprise headed by Dr. Jorelyn Conception its Cebu Project director who also express her gratitude to this partnership.

“Today is not only the turning over of equipment but also turning over of the responsibility to continue helping MSMEs.  The primary woven products of Argaonon weavers are bath towels, hand towels, face towels and blankets and with the SSF for handloom weaving, numerous product development sessions were arranged by DTI7,” Conception revealed.

Conception bared that handwoven fabrics have been custom-made into premium secondary products such as graduation ‘sablay’ (sash), diploma certificates, scarves, shawls, bags, purse, wallets, towels, pillowcases, table runners and napkins; placemats, barongs and other hand painted fashion apparel including the pink floral dress worn by VP Leni Robredo in New York University which recently sparked attention in social media.

The CTU- Argao facility has also a Digital Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) under the SSF program worth P9.0 million that was launched in September 2019. This digital technology was used to further improve the quality of handwoven products through 3D and laser printing, DTI-7 said.

With the development of the shared facilities, the CTU-Argao is expected to produce 5,000 handwoven graduation packages for CTU graduates in the next few years, Villamor added that the project is expected to generate at least 40 jobs to more than 20 MSMEs assisted by the project. (Photos: DTI7/FB/Google Images)