Friday, August 10, 2012

The Booming Abaca Industry of Janiuay

Long before the Spanish occupation, Filipinos have been growing Abaca. Endemic to the Philippines, it is a banana-like plant where its fiber is considered as the strongest among natural fibers and is commonly used for textile materials. For centuries, it has provided income to many Filipinos especially those living in the areas of Mindanao, Bicol and the Visayas.

Easily-grown in almost all types of soils and climate like ours, abaca is best grown in areas where the soil is rich in organic matter common in areas that are rolling to hilly or mountainous.


The municipality of Janiuay is now becoming one of the major abaca producers in Iloilo as production and interest from farmers to plant continue to improve. The industry in the town has improved as more and more famers especially in barangays Barasalon, Atimonan and Kanawilihan venture into abaca propagation.

The status of abaca industry is booming. There are now many farmers who want to plant abaca. The shift of interest of farmers to abaca is credited to its shorter maturity period compared to other high value crops.


The Tuburan Abacca Handicraft Association (TAHA) in barangay Tuburan, Janiuay, Iloilo is the leading promoter of livelihood projects on abaca production. Among its missions is to provide more employment and create more innovative products that will respond to the needs of its members and its market.

Organized in 2006, the association, then with 26 members started producing abaca fiber-based products that were marketed locally. It was in 2007 that the association became DTI-registered. At present, it has 33 members and presently headed by Barangay Captain Flora Ensolente. The association is currently producing fibercraft like mats, purses, bags, hats, placemats, high-grade decorative paper as art media, and all purpose decoratives perfect as gifts or souvenir items. The use of abaca fiber has long been recognized and the demand is continually growing.


Projects for the association are developed in partnership with other local government agencies. The municipal government of Janiuay work with government departments, local service providers and community workers to facilitate local planning and develop projects based on the needs of the community. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also pitched in by providing additional consultancy in the training and the transfer of knowledge and entrepreneurial perspectives of the community.

Abaca fibers are extracted by stripping off the outer sheath of the trunk of the abaca plant and pull out individual fibers. The length varies from three to nine feet or even longer, depending on the height of the plant. It is then stripped and scraped to remove the pulp. The fibers produced are then washed and dried. The color of the fibers extracted ranges from ivory white or in the shade of brown. The best grades of abaca fiber are fine and lustrous in texture; light beige in color and very strong.

Popularly known as Manila hemp in the international trade, 84% of the world’s abaca supply comes from the Philippines. At present, the country’s major markets are Japan, Europe, India, United States, the Middle East, and Korea. China is the biggest emerging market for abaca.

The abaca craft production project of the Tuburan Abacca Handicraft Association has gone a long way since it was launched with orders coming in from various parts of the province and the region. The municipality hopes more people will be interested in products that enable rural communities to see their livelihood in a different light.

Know more about Janiuay’s abaca production and its abaca crafts during the 8th Tumandok celebration on September 4, 2012 at the fountain area of Robinsons Iloilo. For more information, please contact (033) 5318719-Janiuay LGU trunkline and look for Miss Corel Locsin-Yap-Municipal Tourism Officer.

9 comments:

  1. Great post about bags! Guys you can also check at this Handmade Abaca bags in the Philippines https://www.etsy.com/shop/Our7107Islands

    ReplyDelete
  2. Are you looking for handcrafted products made by Filipino artisans? Feel free to check our site http://our7107islands.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. All forex trades contain currencies because you're betting on the cost of a currency against any other. Consider eur/usd, the most-traded forex pair within the international. Eur, the first foreign money inside the pair, is the bottom, and usd, the second, is the counter. While you see a charge quoted in your platform, that price is how lots one euro is really worth in us greenbacks. You usually see expenses due to the fact one is the purchase charge and one is the promote. The difference among the 2 is the spread. When you click on purchase or promote, you're buying or selling the first foreign money inside the pair.Let's consider you suspect the euro will increase in fee against america greenback. Your pair is eur/usd. For the reason that euro is first, and you observed it will pass up, you purchase eur/usd. If you suppose the euro will drop in value against the us dollar, you promote eur/usd.If the eur/usd buy rate is 0.70644 and the promote charge is zero.70640, then the spread is 0.4 pips. If the exchange actions for your desire (or in opposition to you), then, after you cowl the unfold, you could make a profit (or loss) in your change. Let Visit For
    top forex signal provider

    ReplyDelete
  4. The forex or foreign exchange marketplace is a worldwide electronic platform used to exchange currencies. When someone is foreign exchange trading, she or he is actually shopping for and selling options to change currencies electronically in this marketplace.
    Such forex isn't always funding as a substitute it's far speculation. Whilst a person speculates she or he hopes to make a direct or short time period profit off the transaction. Whilst a person invests, he or she intends to increase the quantity of price range over a long term foundation. A forex dealer is making an attempt to make money quick by way of buying selling foreign money alternatives.
    trade copier
    Forex signals

    ReplyDelete
  5. Here at Our 7107 Islands, we open the whole world to the artistry of the Filipino artisans. From the 7107 islands throughout the Philippines, all creations and designs are produced with incredible craftsmanship, creativity, resourcefulness and work full of love that showcases unique culture and traditions of diverse tribes. http://www.our7107islands.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Take a look at this beautiful Sole Bag. This bag is made from the finest abaca fibers, the premier cordage fiber of the world. It is very light, strong, and durable. Our Sole bag is scratch-free, stain-free and totally clothing-friendly. The macrame accent gives it a classic touch. This is perfect when you are going to the beach, picnics, or a utility but classy and ethnic bag for your laptop, iPad, smartphones, documents or for that chic look when paired with your boho attire or just simple tees and jeans.

    Visit http://www.our7107islands.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another ethnically beautiful yet blends with the symmetry of modern design, the Circolare in Dark Red is an addition to our round bag collection.

    We also added a new design to our purse/clutch collection, the Felicita in natural stripes.

    Colors we can customize for you:
    Tan, Mahogany Brown, Natural, Fuchsia, Pink, Royal Blue, Malachite Green, Yellow, or just ask.

    These are made from first class abaca fiber, handwoven and dyed properly so it doesn't bleed even when wet.



    Visit http://www.our7107islands.com/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks a lot for sharing us about this update. Hope you will not get tired on making posts as informative as this.
    Round Purse

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice articles and your information valuable and good articles thank for the sharing information top forex signal providers

    ReplyDelete

An Unforgettable Farm Experience at Pallon Farm in San Enrique

San Enrique, Iloilo is a truly tranquil and peaceful town guaranteed to help you relax, slow down, and connect with nature. Visit sm...