The use of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles in the academic regalia of all state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges will be required if a measure being pushed by Solid North Party-list is passed into law.
According to Rep. Ching Bernos, House BIll No. 3111, or the Philippine Neo-Ethnic Textile Development bill, would help both in preserving the deep-rooted culture of handloom weaving and in opening avenues for weaving communities to engage and benefit from neo-ethnic textile production.
“We want to protect and develop the old tradition of handloom weaving in the country, so the prescribed use of our indigenous textiles in academic regalia is a key provision of our bill,” said the lawmaker.
“The government has to step in to ensure that our local artisans and our intangible cultural heritage are not merely taken advantage of then discarded.”
“This would make an instant, and hopefully lasting impact, in our local weaving communities. Sa pamamagitan din nito, nasisiguro natin na may demand sa mga produkto ng ating mga katutubong manghahabi kaya’t mahihikayat sila na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang tradisyon.”
The Philippine Neo-Ethnic Textile Development bill seeks to preserve, support, and institutionalize the Philippine handloom weaving industry.
Neo-ethnic textiles refer to textiles made of or containing natural or indigenous materials, sourced and/or produced in the Philippines using updated, relevant, and green scientific and technological approaches and innovations; while integrating and/or retaining traditional patterns, designs, icons, motifs and/or approaches.
The bill pushes for the recognition of weaving as intangible cultural heritage; provide sustained government support for skills transmission, production, innovation, and marketing; empower weavers —especially women—with access to livelihood, training, infrastructure, and social protection.
It also calls for the establishment of a National Neo-Ethnic Textile Development Policy, which shall include the formulation of a neo-ethnic textile industry roadmap; development of a database of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles; innovations in weaving design and engineering; technical support mechanism for sustainable weaving activities; and development of Philippine Standards for Handloom Woven Textiles, among others.
Bernos highlighted the need for the measure as it would help address the multiple challenges that threaten the continued existence of handloom weaving in the country.
“We want to protect and develop the old tradition of handloom weaving in the country.”
Some of these include aging weavers and limited transmission of skills to younger generations, as well as inconsistent access to quality raw materials, limited market access and promotion, inadequate infrastructure support, and lack of institutional protection and development programs, the lawmaker said.
“We have an opportunity to preserve our beloved weaving traditions and at the same time capitalize on worldwide interest in indigenous materials,” explained Bernos.
“This is why the government has to step in to ensure that our local artisans and our intangible cultural heritage are not merely taken advantage of then discarded, but actually benefit from the fruits of their labor and knowledge,” she added.
The preservation of handloom weaving and development of neo-ethnic textiles would also be integrated into the other bills of Solid North PL that aim to promote community-based tourism and development.
