Bohol is known to many as an island of versatile masterpieces of nature with its admired long stretches of white sand beaches, the natural wonder of chocolate hills, and the habitat of the world’s smallest monkeys, the tarsiers. In the agribusiness side, Bohol is noted for its raffia production, which sustains its century-old loom weaving industry and provides income opportunities to young and old alike. With an annual production of 30 metric tons, Bohol is the second largest raffia producer next to Romblon. There are 4,375 individuals who are directly involved in raffia handloom weaving. Support workers who include raw material suppliers, gatherers, and laborers number 13,125 individuals distributed in nine municipalities, namely: Inabanga, Tubigon, Buenavista, Calape, Danao, Albuquerque, Valencia, Corella, and Panglao. Inabanga, where the majority of loomwoven products are produced, serves as the anchor municipality for the industry.

Raffia fibers are extracted from an unopened buri leaf done through three stages: 1) splitting the outer leaf sheath; 2) splitting the second leaf sheath; and 3) splitting/stripping into different sizes. The fibers are converted into place mats, rolls, beach mats, table runners, coasters, and throw pillows.

Bohol entrepreneurs have been the recipient of PTRI technologies on handloom weaving, weave designing, and dyeing since 2000. The technical knowledge gained through trainings, seminars, and workshops enabled them to make a headstart in adopting these technologies and empowered them in terms of capability to improve their quality and productivity toward global competitiveness.

The featured stories of the three active raffia manufacturers, namely: the Inabanga Loomweavers Association, the 3SH-A Handicraft, and the 9-10 Handicraft, showed how PTRI intervention offered solutions to mounting technical concerns and how it encouraged innovativeness and entrepreneurial activities, which made a difference in their lives. 

Inabanga Loomweavers’ Association

         The most active handloom weaving association, the Inabanga Loomweavers Association, was established in 1984, with only 20 members. At present, with a total workforce of 175, maximum weekly production capacity reaches 350 rolls of raffia and 10,500 pieces for other products. The income generated by the association amounted to P450,000–P525,000. The association owes its success to Rodolfo Jumamoy, the 74-year-old owner and general manager. Manong Ruding, as he is popularly called, is the “dean” of the loom weaving industry in Bohol, being the pioneer in the business. He can tell anybody the story of handloom weaving in Bohol, as it relates to his own story.