TARLAC CITY – A total of 19 Tarlaqueños, including a person with disability, a senior citizen, government employees, and college students, gained bamboo crafting skills through a training session conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac.
Held at the Tarlac Capitol Center, the activity was organized through the Negosyo Center in San Jose to introduce bamboo as a sustainable and income-generating material, and encourage participants to explore entrepreneurship.
According to DTI, the training showed how creativity and craftsmanship can turn bamboo into profitable non-food products.
The session also provided participants with the opportunity to apply their skills and develop the entrepreneurial potential of bamboo while continuing their academic and professional journeys.
“Through this training, we encourage potential entrepreneurs to innovate using bamboo and explore various market opportunities. Bamboo is abundant in our province. With the right business mindset, it can generate income and promote sustainable livelihood,” DTI OIC-Provincial Director Florencia Balilo said.
A key part of the training was a hands-on demonstration of a laser machine, which enabled participants to design bamboo products using modern tools and techniques relevant to today’s creative industries.
The session was facilitated by Imelda Santiago, owner of Crafty Crib, who shared her experience of turning her passion for crafting into a thriving business.
Meanwhile, Villamar Felix Avecilla Jr., an entrepreneurship student, reflected on what he learned from the training.
“Hindi ako nagsisi na umattend ako sa training na ito dahil, as an entrepreneurship student, it helped me understand business more. Bilang entrepreneur, kailangan ng innovative thinking, at kung ano ang skills mo, isabuhay mo kasi pwede mo itong pagkakitaan (I don’t regret attending this training because, as an entrepreneurship student, it helped me understand business better. As an entrepreneur, you need innovative thinking, and whatever skills you have, put them into practice because you can turn them into income),” he shared.
The training forms part of DTI’s ongoing efforts to foster entrepreneurship and livelihood.
Through this initiative, the agency equips individuals with practical skills and business knowledge to encourage innovation and support the growth of local industries.
