LUCBAN, QUEZON — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Quezon Provincial Office, through the Negosyo Center (NC) Lucban, in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU), assisted a foreign buyer in searching for Buntal products in Lucban, Quezon.
Buntal is a fine Philippine fiber from the stalks of the unopened leaves of the Buri Palm. The fibers are dried, then dyed and handwoven into mats.
Banahaw Technological College, Inc. (BTCI) is one identified organization in Lucban that produces mats made from fibers like Raffia and Buntal. The weavers use machines to make mats that are uniquely designed and handmade by the school.
Ms. Ella Queen V. Aguelo, NC Lucban Business Counselor, together with Hon. Nyerwina B. Pavino, SB Member, assisted Mr. Zheng Xin Hua and Mr. Gilbert M. Maray in meeting Dr. Tomas Abustan, president of BTCI. They discussed the purpose of their visit and the specifications of the product they were looking for.
Sample handwoven mats were presented as Dr. Abustan discussed the process of making these products. Through the effort of Mr. Abustan and the weavers, they were able to produce various designs that impressed the visitors.
The foreign buyer was very interested not only in the product itself but also in the story behind it. Dr. Abustan agreed to make sample mats from Buntal, which will be presented on an agreed schedule.
DTI Quezon through NC Lucban and the LGU will continue to support this new relationship between Mr. Zheng and BTCI. ♦
Date of Release: 20 April 2023
