DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 6 (PIA)--The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Oriental is embarking on a project that aims to provide another livelihood opportunity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The DTI provincial office plans to engage PWDs in a training-seminar on cloth weaving as part of their interventions for people with special concerns and also to establish a cheaper source of raw materials for manufacturers of woven products like bags, sling bags, and others.

"Daghan gagama [og] bags dire but ang raw materials dili dire so mo-add pag cost ba. We would like to report something naa mi concrete na gihimo. Mao mag-training mi ug weaving for PWD aron katong raw material needs sa manufacturers dire dire na lang gam-on (There are a lot of manufacturers of bags but they source the raw materials from other places. That adds to their cost. We would like to hold a training on weaving for PWDs so that manufacturers can source their raw materials here. We also want to report something that shows our concrete interventions)," DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio explained.

The idea to engage PWDs in a training program on cloth weaving was first announced in a Kapihan sa PIA forum held in observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week recently.

DTI - Dumaguete Negosyo Center Official Hye Rhea Eso-Culminas cited that the DTI is looking for a facility which can be used as a production area for PWD weavers.

For now, there is a proposal to have the facility established in the local parish in Junob town but things are still yet to be finalized.

Culminas also extended cooperation and partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and also with City Councilor Bernice Elmaco who is the chair of the Sangguniang Panglungsod Committee on People with Special Concerns for this endeavor.

"This is a big project. Dili siya pang one time. Makatiulong sa women or PWD to gain income. Dili siya livelihood na training lang pagka-tomorrow or the following week wala na. (This is a big project and this is sustainable. This can help women and PWDs gain income. It's not a livelihood training that lasts for a day and gone tomorrow or the following day)," Culminas stressed.

Culminas also noted that the department can also help link them up with buyers of woven products.

The DTI will roll out the program once details are finalized.

Virtucio said this is training program is open to members of PWD federation in Dumaguete City and its neighboring towns. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)