Sabutan Handicrafts In Baler
We were amazed during our trip to Aurora province to know that a weed called sabutan has been harnessed by women as a source of income. Although I failed to see how this plant looks like, our guide told us that some women are now even planting it so that they would have a steady supply of materials for making handicrafts.
The sabutan handicrafts are on display for sale at the Baler Pasalubong Center where there are four exhibitors. One of them is the Sabutan Weavers Association of Barangay Buhangin, which is composed of 25 members who are all housewives.
Connie Arroyo, treasurer of the Association, said some women simply produce colored sabutan materials that are ready for weaving. A small bundle of colored weaving materials costs P50, while those without any color fetch P35 a bundle. One bundle could be woven into eight ladies’ hats. Part-time weavers can make 10 ladies hats a day.
The weavers sell colored hats at P25 a piece. This means a net income of P150 from each bundle of raw materials.
At the Pasalubong Center, however, ladies hats with decorations are being sold at P125 each. Sad to note, it is the businessman who always rakes the higher income.
By : Sosimo Ma. Pablico
Popularity: 4%
Popularity: 4%
