THE loom-weaving towns of Bohol seem to be recovering from the losses sustained from the devastating earthquake of October 2013.

 

In an interview with the Inquirer at the Sandugo Trade Expo at Tagbilaran’s Island City Mall, part of the recently concluded Sandugo Festival, Rebecca Lauzaderas of Tubigon Multipurpose Cooperative said loom weaving productions plummeted as a result of the earthquake which destroyed looms and production facilities.

 

But through the help of the Department of Trade and Industry and the local government, the weaving industry has risen from the ruins, she said.

 

Marlon Lofranco of Inabanga said the town suffered the same fate as Tubigon’s but the people persevered until weaving returned to its normal state.

 

The town of Basey in Samar, famed for its banig (mat) industry, as well as Tanauan, Leyte also participated in the Bohol fair.

 

Both towns suffered from the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” the same year and their bang industries have likewise recovered.

 

But recovery did not come easy as it took two years after the industry regained its pre-Yolanda status, explained Magdaleno Gaddi III of M.S. Banig de Basey.