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| The anniversary of the women’s club coincided with the 7th Binakol Festival of this town. |
Sarrat, Ilocos Norte—Gracing the 38th anniversary of the Women’s Club Federation in this municipality on May 5, 2018, Ilocos Norte governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos encouraged the preservation and promotion of the town’s heritage loom-woven fabric, binakol.
Over the past years, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) and the municipal government, in cooperation with various national agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), have started initiating activities that aims to revive the culture and industry of binakolweaving.
Sarrat specifically produces binakol. It is one of the hand-woven fabrics produced in the province, together with the renowned abel Iloco produced in Paoay. Filipino designers have used both Ilocos Norte fabrics in making traditional clothing such as terno, maria clara, and filipiniana.
Designers and other crafts people can also use binakol in making fashionable bags, fans, tablecloths, and other household products.
Noting the increasing demand for local handicrafts, Ms. Marcos urged the local binakol weavers to take advantage of her LACASA program, a capital assistance program to supplement women’s capital in running a micro enterprise.
“Sana tuloy-tuloy tayong magtulungan, lalo na para sa livelihood sa ating mga kababaihan. Ituloy natin ang pag-gawa ng binakol. Usong-uso ang binakol saan mang sulok ng mundo. At alam din natin na kailangang magbigay ng karagdagang kita,” said the governor.
Through the LACASA livelihood program, which began in 2012, the provincial government has given Ilocano women financial assistance amounting to PHP10,000. Until now, the program provides an avenue for women’s economic empowerment.
Ms. Marcos also reiterated that aside from the LACASA program, PGIN also has a summer employment program for both the young and elderly. Senior Citizens can now become tourist guides in museums and churches around the province.
“Meron ding iba’t-ibangcash-for-work. Talaga naman, priority ang ating mga senior citizens. Sila ang tutulungan nating una,” she added. (PGIN-CMO)