BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is assisting San Carlos City in Negros Occidental in the production and marketing of coconut crafts.
The DTI, through its Negosyo Center, trained 24 members of two farmers and fisherfolk associations in the northern city on the last week of March to produce various products using coconut and its byproducts as major raw materials.
Engiemar Tupas, senior trade and industry development specialist and Negosyo Center coordinator of DTI-Negros Occidental, said the handicrafts would be sold during the Panaad sa Negros Festival this month and to the city government as souvenirs for tourists.
At least 100 German tourists will visit the city’s Sipaway Island this year.
The souvenir items include key chains, necklaces, anklets, baskets, and candle holders.
Members of the Self Help Group from San Carlos City’s Barangay Ermita and the Sipaway Coconut Farmers Association from Barangay San Juan joined the DTI skills training on Sipaway Island.
Tupas said the DTI is looking at the possibility of exporting the coco crafts of San Carlos through continuous product development and craftsmanship improvement.
He added the agency is making sure there is sure market for these products.
“We will also work on linking them with other resorts,” Tupas said.
The coco crafts production in San Carlos City is the first skills training conducted by the Negosyo Center in Negros Occidental for 2018. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
