HAMPCO Gets DTI’s Shared Service Facilities Project

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has identified Handicraft of Aklan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HAMPCO), a cooperative based in Kalibo, Aklan as its qualified cooperator/partner of the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project under the DTI’s “Big Push” for SME Development Program in the province of Aklan  The SSF is a public private partnership initiative which will be implemented through private sector partner. The partner must provide sustainable facilities to house the machinery and equipment.  

HAMPCO is established on 27 December 1989. Today, it has a total of 385 members with 141 workers (weavers, knotters, warpers, sewers, embroiderers, and painters).  Some of its major product lines are: abaca silk, abaca piña, abaca basket weave, pina cloth, abaca cloth, piña seda shawl and  piña seda barong.  Its domestic markets are Boracay, Manila, Cebu, Pampanga, and Palawan. Its export markets are Japan, France and Italy.  

As the project’s cooperator, HAMPCO identified the recipients of the 50 handloom units to be housed in five (5) loom weaving centers in Aklan located in the municipalities with the number of corresponding beneficiaries as follows:

Brgys. New and Old Buswang, Kalibo – 13; Brgys. Poblacion and Ibao, Lezo – 17; and Brgy. Tina, Makato – 20.

The SSF project aims: a. To enhance the competitiveness of the priority industry clusters through the use of quality and productivity enhancing machinery and equipment; and b. To develop priority and market-driven industries in support to National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Program (NICCEP).

The project is envisioned to benefit the most number of existing microenterprises and SMEs in the priority clusters within the poorest 609 municipalities in the country. It will be launched on 30 April 2013, simultaneously conducted with the Aklan Investment Conference (I-Con) 2013.  DTI Secretary Gregorio L. Domingo, and other national & local government officials will grace the event. 

Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival 

The Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival will be one of the highlights of the Aklan Day Celebration. It is on its 14th year of showcasing Aklan’s premium indigenous products.  This trade show will run for one week from 22 – 30 April 2013 at 9 am to 8 pm daily. The venue is the Trade Hall, Provincial Capitol Grounds, Kalibo, Aklan.  

Some 33 exhibitors from various sectors:  indigenous fibers and crafts, gifts, housewares & furnishings, food processing, and health & wellness are confirmed to participate.   New concepts and designs will be launched in this year’s exhibit, giving a new twist to existing products.  Focus will be given to local products, which shall fall under the priority sectors – indigenous fibers, gifts, housewares, furniture and furnishing, and agri & aqua-based processed foods. 

Alongside of this trade are: a. Accessories Fashion Show - 24 April at 7:00 o’clock in the evening; b. Investment Conference cum Market Encounter  - 30 April,  8:30am - 5pm ; c. Abaca Crafts & Weaving Skills Demonstration- 22-30 April; and d. Special Product Exhibitions (Abaca & Bamboo Products) - 22-30 April. 

DTI-Aklan spearheads this activity in cooperation with Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. Aklan Piña & Other Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers & Traders Assn., Inc., Provincial Government of Aklan, Congressional District Office, Fiber Industry Development Authority, and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., according to DTI Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr.  /MP