PATAMABA - Negros

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PATAMABA-OXFAM PROJECT: Strengthening the Marketing Network of Women Workers in the Informal Economy Towards Advancing Fair, Just and Sustainable Trade

FOCUS ON THE NEGROS BAG MAKERS

In the hilly barangay of San Benito, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, which up to now still has no access to electricity, a group of 30 women are busy weaving bags made of pandan and buri, which are plentiful around their mountainous community. These bags are marketed in the cities of Bacolod and San Carlos, but have now found their way to Manila through the PATAMABA National Marketing Network and other trading partners.

The PATAMABA chapter in San Benito was organized in 1994 and its leaders have participated in various education and training sessions, including one on product development provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros. At first, the group was limited to producing traditional mats but were convinced to diversify to bags after seeing the latter’s market possibilities. The designs were first provided by DTI but in due time, the artistically inclined among the group took over the designing