CEBU, Philippines — In its aim to augment the income of local farmers, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial office in Cebu, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and town government recently conducted training on “bayong” weaving and product development.

Rosalinda Marturillas served as resource person during the event which was attended by over 20 farmer beneficiaries from Barangays Bojo, Sacsac, Olango, Esperanza, and Kantabogon in this town.

Marturillas is from the Balaonung Nagkahiusang Igsoon Alang sa Kalamboan (BANIKA) in Balao, Barili, Cebu which is among the best organization in terms of bayong making in the province.

Meanwhile, Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) Gersyval Vestal said that the recently-concluded activity, aside from farming, will serve as another livelihood opportunity for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) here.

“Since the town is rich in such raw materials as pandan and romblon in the making of “bayong,” it is just appropriate that we teach our farmers on how to make use of it,” Vestal said.