Officials during the formal turnover of Sericulture Tools : Japanese Embassy's First Secretary Ryutaro Aoki,
Governor of Negros Occidental Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Outstanding sericulture farmer Mr. Dennis Florentino
Japanese Embassy First Secretary Ryutaro Aoki and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon led the ceremonial turnover of sericulture tools and equipment under the "Support for Sericulture tools and weaving machines in Negros Sericulture Project" which was held on February 26, 2014 in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The project, which was funded under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects amounting to 2.568 million Yen (approximately 1.13 Million Pesos) to assist in the distribution of the items from Japan to the Philippines, is being implemented by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) International. OISCA is a Japanese NGO which employs a holistic approach to promoting environmentally sustainable development projects in various countries including the Philippines.
The project involves the additional provision of 1,500 sericulture tools and three weaving machines, which will continually assist the target farmers and women's capabilities in producing silk and silk products. These tools and equipment were given by Japanese farmers and a Japanese weaving company through OISCA.
The island of Negros has a history of sugar cane monoculture. However, fluctuations in sugar prices during the 1980s have left many villages dependent on sugar production, economically vulnerable. The sericulture project started as an experimental mulberry plantation project introduced by OISCA in the town of Murcia, Negros Occidental, as an additional source of livelihood to help improve the income of the people in Negros Island. The project received initial assistance under the Japan NGO Assistance Program for the construction of a silk reeling center building including cocoon dryer and machineries. From a mere exporter of dried cocoons to Japan, the factory has been producing tons of reeled silk per year. OISCA also received further support from JICA for additional reeling machines from Japan in 2004. A Silkworm Breeding Station was established as part of the Japan NGO Assistance Program. This paved the way for the production of silk cloths woven from silk yarns.
Over the years, silk production in Negros has benefited and improved the lives of numerous farmers who found additional sources of livelihood from cocoon farming and later to silk products and by-products. The Bago Sericulture Center has branched out in 5 towns in Negros Occidental. The project's farmer beneficiaries produced 95% of the Philippines' total silk production. The project has also indirectly mitigated natural disasters like landslides and prevented soil erosion since formerly denuded lands became mulberry tree plantations. As a whole, the Project empowered the farmers in Negros Occidental to diversity. The successful silk industry has alleviated sole dependence on the sugar industry and provided sustainability to the communities.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects was launched in 2002 to enhance cooperation between the Government of Japan and NGOs in the implementation of ODA to promote effective and efficient aid for developing countries.
Japanese Version
Message of Mr. Ryutaro Aoki
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