Ilocos vine good for handicraft

A vine abundant in Ilocandia, particularly in Ilocos Sur and La Union, now holds great promise of boosting the region’s handicraft industry.

The twiner vine is locally called labtang (scientific name: Anamirta cocculus).

Products made from the vine command high price and are highly in demand in the local and international markets, experts said. Labtang is recommended as material in the making of bags, baskets, trays, fancy boxes, flower bases, home decors, and other products.

Labtang is durable, easy to process, and can be harvested in three to five years, according to experts, as monitored by PCARRD.

Realizing the potential of this forest resource, government agencies, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) —Region 1, saw the need to establish labtang plantations to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials.

DENR-Region researchers Cesar Orallo, Emerito Acosta, Aurora Reyes, and Rizalyn Medrano are now implementing a project that aims to establish a five-hectare labtang plantation in Suyo, Ilocos Sur.

Adopting the "one town, one product" concept, the Suyo local government unit expressed its support for the labtang industry and envisions to become the source of quality labtang products in Ilocandia, reported PCARRD’s Dr. Leila America.

The DENR researchers chose the Suyo Integrated Labtang Association Weavers as a project cooperative because of its active involvement in the promotion of the industry.

Organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Ilocos Sur, the association is now being trained by DENR personnel on labtang plantation management. – Rudy Fernandez