Former Rebels and Farmers in Negros Occidental Embrace Craft Livelihood Training for Economic Transformation

 In Isabela, Negros Occidental, Former Rebels and Farmers Embrace Livelihood Training

BACOLOD CITY – Former New People’s Army rebels and farmers in the remote village of Isabela, Negros Occidental, are finding new opportunities through craft production for their livelihood. The Association of Negros Producers (ANP), organizer of the renowned Negros Trade Fair, is facilitating training for these individuals.

Over the past month, approximately 100 participants from Barangay Riverside have attended a product development and basic marketing workshop hosted by the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion at its headquarters in Barangay Libas.

According to Sybel Nobleza, ANP external affairs manager, the goal is to equip them with skills to create marketable products and participate in prestigious industry showcases. The participants have been learning to craft products from locally abundant raw materials such as pandan, nito, bamboo, and used straws.

Pandan weavers, for example, are developing prototypes for eco-pandan bags targeted at customers such as wine producers, millennials, and eco-friendly stores. This initiative is part of an effort to introduce the products to the Pilak Awards Competition in preparation for the 38th Negros Trade Fair later this year.

International designer and ANP chairwoman, Christina Marie Gaston, shared insights into product development and branding with the participants. Nobleza, covering product screening and basic marketing, guided them on aligning products with customer needs and creating compelling narratives for their creations.

Addressing challenges faced by former rebels-turned-entrepreneurs, Nobleza emphasized solutions such as securing start-up capital, ensuring consistent market access, and protecting identities. The ANP commits to closely monitoring the product prototyping and organizing further workshops.

In a statement, 78-year-old weaver Nanay Adelfa expressed gratitude for the opportunity to become an entrepreneur through the training workshops conducted by ANP in partnership with the Negros Occidental provincial government and the Isabela municipal government.

The ANP plans to introduce training on food product development this month in collaboration with the Provincial Technology and Livelihood Development Center.