Three-term Senator and Senatorial Candidate Loren Legarda during UniTeam’s campaign sortie in General Santos City on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial bet Loren Legarda has called for the further strengthening of the fiber and textile industries in SOCCSKSARGEN to boost the region’s local economy.
“Napakayaman ng kultura ng SOCCSKSARGEN. Ito ang isa sa dapat nating ipagmalaki at bigyan ng kaukulang pansin at tulong dahil maliban sa ito ang nagbibigay ng ating pagkakakilanlan bilang Pilipino, ito din ang nagbibigay ng kabuhayan sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Region 12,” Legarda said during a UniTeam’s campaign sortie in General Santos on Sunday, March 27.
In her first term as Senator, Legarda has been pushing for the advancement of the local fiber and textile industry to promote economic development in the southern part of the country. She firmly believes that given ample support, the industry will not only help transform the local economy but will also promote Filipino artistry and culture.
“Nararapat lamang na ating bigyan ng halaga ang pangangalaga sa ating kultura at pagbibigay ng suporta dito upang masiguro na maipagpatuloy ang mga ito at maipasa sa mga susunod na henerasyon,” she added.
Through Legarda’s intervention, General Santos City, four South Cotabato municipalities, and two Sarangani Province municipalities received ginning and spinning facilities under the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Cotton Development Program.
In collaboration with the said agency, Legarda allocated funds for training on basic loom weaving, the rehabilitation and construction of weaving centers, and the provision of tools and equipment to weavers in Lamdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Legarda has likewise pushed for the intensified implementation of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, which she principally authored in 2004, as it seeks to expand the tropical fabrics industry and support the local and indigenous weavers and artisans.
She also helped the Kenhulling Handicraft Federation, Inc. in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, through the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), which granted them assistance in establishing a Natural Dye Powder Production Hub, and the Kalyak B’laanCare Group for their Regional Handloom Weaving Innovation.
Three-term Senator and Senatorial Candidate Loren Legarda during UniTeam’s campaign sortie in General Santos City on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Contributed photo
Moreover, through Legarda’s support and initiative, livelihood assistance and government programs have resulted in the labor force’s productivity in Region 12.
This includes the allocation of funds to each provincial government in the region under the DOLE Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker (TUPAD), which offers a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers.
The three-term Senator also acknowledged the need for climate resilience and environmental protection in vulnerable areas in Southern Mindanao. In 2019, Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao and South Cotabato were chosen as part of the Climate Field School for Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs), and Municipal Planning and Development Offices (MPDOs).
“Naniniwala ako na kung ating pagtitibayin at bibigyan ng suporta ang ating labor force at tutulungan ang bawat komunidad na magkaroon ng kakayahang palakasin ang kani-kanilang potensyal base sa mga available na resources, mas magiging madali ang pagbangon ng bansa sa pandemya,” Legarda said.
“Dalawang Taon na nating binubuno ang epekto ng pandemya sa ating kabuhayan, kaya patuloy ang aking pagsisikap na mailapit sa mamamayan ang mga programa ng pamahalaan upang masiguro nasama-sama tayong babangon.”
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