Philippine E-Journals

Sustainability Factors of Yakan Weaving for Community Economic Development

Brenda Q. Salang

Discipline: Economics, Business

 

Abstract:

The study was conducted in High Land Village, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga Cityto analyze the sustainability of Yakan weaving for the economic developmentof the community. To do it, survey research method was used with a total of52 household respondents. An FGD with 15 weavers residing in the villagewas conducted. Data were processed and analyzed using Statistical Packagefor Social Science (SPSS) software. Results of the study revealed that thecontinuous weaving activities of the local people developed the trait of the nextgeneration. The activities developed a shared responsibility of maintaining theknowledge and preserving the endogenous craft in the Yakan tribe. Marketingstrategies to promote the Yakan products were very low since each memberseparately worked for his/her own economic survival. The managerial skillsto run the cooperative, production and management of the resources wererelatively poor. Linkages with government agencies and private entities turnedout to be selective and non- participative. The tribe in Basilan where the bulkof the products came from did not take off from its traditional state of beingbackward as shown by its values and practices. The industry cannot makeit alone. The government should recognize the values and potentials of thetribe and use this as focus for sustained development planning. The tribemust have a major role in the development of its community. Hence, furthersupport is needed to provide a self-sustaining community and enhance thepotentials and growth of the Yakan handicraft industry.