Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Ex-solon bats for Panay as hablon weaving center By Ruby P. Silubrico
FORMER Senator Loren Legarda along with her fellow candidates from the genuine opposition coalition is pushing to make Panay as the Hablon Weaving Center.
In 2003, Legarda was able to secure P1.4 million from the British Embassy to bring Iloilo into the world fashion map through its legendary loom weavers especially in the town of Miag-ao.
Legarda urged the Ilonggos not only to revive their art of weaving Hablon for the world market but also to find other enterprises that would spur economic prosperity for themselves and for Iloilo.
"My heart goes to you who have made Iloilo and the whole Philippines proud of your craft," she said.
It was learned that after Legarda has secured the said amount from the British government, the Salakayan Development Foundation through the leadership of Miag-ao Mayor Gerardo Flores launched the Hablon Loom-Weaving Development Project and constructed two loom-weaving centers.
The loom-weaving centers are capable of housing eight looms and employing over 100 women and out-of-school youth.
