Weavers upgrade skills in natural dye extraction, application

THE town of Buhi in this province is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and its significant role in the handweaving industry known as Inabëģ.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), along with its partners—the Buhi government and the Camarines Sur Polytechnic College—is dedicated to empowering local weavers and advancing the Philippine textile industry.

They are doing this through a series of training sessions and workshops held across the country.

Clarita Noble, a weaver with 22 years of experience, discovered various methods for extracting natural colors from the environment while participating in a three-day training program focused on natural dye extraction and textile application, organized by the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute.

Noble currently serves as the president of the Buhi One Town, One Product Key Players Association. Participants, including local weavers, students, and faculty members of CSPC, also joined the program.

“Marami po pala kaming pwedeng mapagkukunan na mga natural na kulay sa aming kapaligiran at natural dye techniques. Dagdag po na tulong sa aming paghahahanap-buhay. Salamat sa inyong effort na pumunta po sa Buhi para po maituro ang tungkol sa pagda-dye,” she said.

(We have many sources of natural colors in our environment and natural dye techniques. It’s also an extra help in our livelihood. Thank you for your effort to come to Buhi to teach about dyeing.)

Kimberly Viron, a science research specialist at DOST-PTRI, introduced the science, sustainability, and economic potential of textile applications to the trainees.

During the training, Noble recalled that they extracted dyes from local plant sources and applied a mordanting process to prepare yarns for optimal color absorption.

They also observed how different mordants influenced the final color.

Weavers experimented with a variety of colors using natural materials sourced from the area, such as achiote, mahogany bark, young coconut husks, dried roses, Talisay leaves, and even turmeric.

Patrocinio Felizmenio, the DOST Camarines Sur provincial head, said that the training aligns with the DOST-PTRI’s program called “Fostering the Revitalization of Nascent Textile Innovation Ecosystems in the Region Program.

The program aims to revive traditional dyeing techniques, promote sustainability, and create livelihood opportunities for local communities.

“By establishing the NatDye Hub, this project supports the regional textile sector by integrating indigenous resources with modern innovations, ultimately enhancing the global value of Philippine textiles,” she said.

Weavers in Buhi town are now equipped with new techniques to improve their craft, ensuring the preservation and economic viability of Inabëġ.

This initiative also promotes environmental sustainability, strengthens cultural identity, and offers a renewable, biodegradable alternative to synthetic dyes, she added. (PIA5)