Nito-weaving skills training in Tapuyan

Cong. Lord Allan Velasco talking with participants to the livelihood training program

A four-day skills training and upgrading on nito weaving was recently undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Marinduque Office in Barangay Tapuyan, Gasan. The training program was participated in by local residents, some of whom are already into nito-weaving but interested in learning about new marketable designs, as well as new learners. 

Cong. Velasco with DTI officials and skills-training participants

The project is part of a continuous training program on development and promotion of local handicrafts, souvenir products that make use of indigenous materials, including the production of coco-based products. The project is funded by the Congressional District Office of Cong. Lord Allan Velasco and is implemented by the DTI Marinduque Office. 

Nito placemat prototype

The sturdy nito vines are abundant in Tapuyan where the material is turned into coasters, placemats and baskets and sold in the market as souvenir or gift items.

Unfinished covered nito basket.

Nito basket with natural color.

Some ladies of Tapuyan who are skilled nito-weavers.

The program also included the turn over of tools needed for the production of nito products such as screw drivers, shavers, sizers, hammers, knives, meter sticks and glues.

Nito vines in their natural color

Other programs are included in Velasco's program such as skills training on bleaching and dyeing of buri, training on bag lining and finishing, skills upgrading on bayong and basket weaving, advanced training on bag making, skills training on morion-themed souvenir items, and technology training on coco sugar making.