ABOUT 30 members of Bukidnon Tribe Association tried their hands at transforming driftwood into creative and functional art pieces in a technology training conducted by the DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) at the Agrarian Reform Municipal Office in barangay Kabulacan, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
The ethnic group was trained in handicraft-making using natural materials. The training was in cooperation with the local government unit of Santa Catalina.
The experts from the DOST oriented and assisted the participants on the proper creation of handicrafts using driftwood plentiful in the area, said DOST director Gilbert Arbon.
Arbon said the group was taught to design, clean, finish and coat the unfinished handicrafts until the products were finished and displayed in the showroom.
The training included technical repairs, brief orientation and installation of new power tools and pertinent materials.