Support sought for sarok industry

CEBU, Philippines — A provincial board member is calling on individuals and groups to support the sarok industry of the municipality of Consolacion.

The term “sarok” pertains to a head cover made of woven bamboo strips and banana leaves. It was first used by farmers in the 1920s to provide protection from the heat of the sun or the cold rain when they were doing the chores in their farms.

Barangay Tolotolo in Consolacion is the home of the many “sarok” weavers and makers.

Sixth District Provincial Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco has initiated the call to support the sarok industry following report that despite the ingenuity, creativeness and its affordability, the popularity of sarok has “demonstrably declined.”

“Sarok is a widely-known Cebu product that must be preserved and cherished. Sarok Industry must be saved before it becomes obsolete since it is a product that is identified solely from Cebu,” Soco said.

Last week, the PB passed a resolution sponsored by Soco urging all local government units in the province of Cebu to support the sarok industry of Consolacion by encouraging the use of the same in their community.

“It is urged that the local chief executives in the different municipalities and cities encourage the use of ‘sarok’ by their workers in the field especially those who are exposes to the rain and the sun. Among others, roving barangay public and safety officers/barangay tanods, traffic personnel/enforcers in the field, other barangay field workers, etc., may effectively use ‘sarok’ in their line of work,” read Soco’s resolution.

Soco further said that the use of sarok by government workers equally showcases to the public a heritage and branding that is uniquely Cebuano, aside from aiding the government workers in the field.

“The use of ‘sarok’ by the different local government units will evidently boost the ‘sarok’ industry of the Municipality of Consolacion,” he said.

Consolacion had been known for its sarok and, in fact, made Sarok Festival an annual festivity celebrated during the “Adlaw sa Consolacion”.

Over the years, selling sarok has been one of the major sources of livelihood of the residents of Barangay Tolotolo. The products are sold not only in Cebu, specifically in the Carbon Public Market, but likewise in some parts of the country. (FREEMAN)