A two-day Stakeholders' Meeting and Workshop was held at the UP Visayas Extension Campus in Pandan, Antique from September 28-29, 2024, as part of the "Pagrara: Exploring Northwestern Panay Weaving Heritage" initiative, funded by the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS). The event is part of the Panay Weaving and Culinary Heritage Program of the UP Visayas Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS).
The workshop was participated in by weavers and officers of local weaving cooperatives, local tourism officers, and representatives from key local government units in Aklan and Antique, particularly from the municipalities of Ibajay, Nabas, Pandan, and Libertad, areas where handicrafts made from bariw, nito, and abaca are made.
Representatives from the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Department of Trade and Industry also provided significant inputs during the workshop.
Centered on assessing the economic viability and sustainability of the Northwest Panay weaving, the participants delved into the significance of this tradition, discussed its status, and identified capacity-building needs within communities. The discussions also opened opportunities for future collaborations among local governments, national agencies, and academic institutions, all aimed at strengthening support for the weaving heritage.
Leading the event was CWVS Director Asst. Prof. Frances Anthea R. Redison, along with senior writers Sashah Dioso, Kyle Philip Ravena, and Precious Maecah Ratay, who facilitated the productive discussions with technical support from Febrey Esclares, Ericka Paula Galvan, and Joefritz Varon.
