The University of Antique (UA) has opened a pottery center inside its campus in the municipality of Sibalom to promote pottery-making industry in Barangay Bari.

Aside from popularizing the skill and the industry, the university will also be assisting barangay residents to market their products, said UA president Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr., in an interview on Wednesday.

“We will also be providing training to the 30 families who are now into pottery-making on how to use the new equipment provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST),” he said.

The pottery center is a recipient of new equipment including an electric potter’s wheel, a gas-fired kiln, and a brick molder from the DOST.

According to the provincial website, pottery-making in Barangay Bari is very traditional as the clay is sourced from the fields near the Sibalom River. Earthenwares from the village are famous in terms of quality and durability.

UA is also eyeing to open next year a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) on Ceramic Making course to interested students, Crespo added.

In a separate interview, Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta said the provincial government will be providing support in terms of marketing the products and when necessary, the Provincial Board will pass a resolution supporting the industry.

“We will be tapping the resort owners to prioritize the use as well as display for sale to their tourist visitors, the local products,” he said.

Bari Pottery Association president Alvin Obrique, in another interview, said that the availability of new equipment could boost their livelihood.

“We could now produce potteries that are of good quality in a more efficient way,” he said.

UA intends to go full swing in the operation of the center early next year by employing some of the local potters. (PNA)