An association of handloom weavers in Iloilo will receive additional shared service facilities (SSF) project from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI on Monday said that in addition to the anticipated completion of their two-story production and showroom, the Baraclayan Weavers Association (BWA) in the municipality of Miagao will receive this year PHP372,520 worth of SSF project.

“BWA will receive its third SSF project, composed of industrial sewing machines, an embroidery machine, and additional handlooms,” it said in a statement.

The weavers received their first set of the SSF project in 2018, with six units of handlooms and accessories and additional seven steel handlooms, wrapping frame, spooling wheel and manual sewing machine in 2020.

In 2023, the association acquired seven wooden looms with accessories and edging embroidery machines.

SSF is the flagship project of the DTI aimed at improving the productivity and efficiency of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through access to technology.

“SSF Project is meant to improve MSME competitiveness by providing machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories, and other auxiliary items, skills, and knowledge under a shared system between private and public partnership,” the DTI added.

Currently, the association with 32 weavers has been producing various products, including hablon cloth made of cotton, polycotton, polyabaca, polypiña, table linens, and tote bags.

The association’s loomweaving center was a contender for the DTI Best Shared Service Facility Project in Western Visayas for 2024. (PNA)