By Lenie Lectura - April 9, 2019
The National Grid Corp. of the
Philippines (NGCP) is collaborating with renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel
for the former’s sustainable livelihood project.
Officials of NGCP’s Project Baro,
one of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, signed an
agreement with Laurel to use the project’s products for NGCP’s corporate
uniform in 2020.
Project Baro is a sustainable
livelihood project that aims to promote and sustain the indigenous art of
weaving in the country. It hopes to improve the economic conditions of its
partner communities by building their capacities. Aside from the provision of
trainings on various weaving techniques, raw materials and equipment to
weavers, the project will also help increase their income through market linkage
and access.
“It is important for the project to
go full circle as the equipment and trainings will find no use if there is no
market for them to sell their goods,” the NGCP said.
The collaboration between NGCP and
Laurel will see the use of Iloilo’s Hablon fabric, produced by member-weavers
of the Miagao Weavers’ Association (MWA), in NGCP’s corporate uniforms.
Laurel’s company, Laurel et Ross,
which has been in the business of masterfully crafting uniform designs since
2001, will oversee the design and production of said uniforms.
“We believe we should not stop our
efforts by just giving them tools and trainings, but also keep them relevant by
linking the communities with local and international entrepreneurs who are able
to see the quality and design of Filipinos,” the NGCP said.
Laurel expressed his excitement over
the project.
“Weaving is a very strong,
significant symbol of our country. Miagao is one of the most popular weaving
communities and it is very important to not allow this identity to disappear.
I’m very happy that NGCP got me for this project as this will help a lot of
weavers,” Laurel said.
Around 75 weavers are expected to
benefit from the project.
Aside from the MWA, the NGCP also
supports member-weavers of Kalinga Indigenous Weavers’ Association Etnika in
Kalinga and Buhi OTOP Key Players Association in Camarines Sur. Both
associations supply NGCP with their products and are linked to socio-ethical
enterprises through the project.
“Through the support we give to our
communities and local industries, we not only enable their craft to mature, but
also give them better opportunities to showcase what Filipinos are capable of,”
the NGCP said.
In addition to sustainable
livelihood projects, NGCP’s CSR Program puts prime concern on environmental conservation
and the continuous development of its host communities through various
initiatives.
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