Rattan

RATTAN

A documentary: “Promoting rattan handicrafts during Mengal Festival”

Published on: November 07, 2022

By Mr. Merlito Edale Jr.

Municipal Cultural and Tourism Officer Louie Simbi said that rattan handicrafts have been in existence for decades, originating in a remote barangay, Annafunan, and still flourishes today.

He said that rattan handicrafts need to be promoted, and their production and marketing in various forms like chairs, tables, decorations, must be expanded.

“Rattan is one of the products of Echague that needs to emphasized and be promoted as this is a heritage for the Yogad people,” he said further.

He also added that during this year’s Mengal Festival, the LGU of Echague, in partnership with the Echague Rattan Weavers and Manufacturers Association, will be crafting or assembling the biggest Ten-foot Rattan Shell Chair that will be displayed at the municipal compound of Echague as a symbol of achievement.

According to Joselito Balunsag, president of Echague Rattan Weavers and Manufacturers Association, he has seen how his parents, at his young age, assemble various rattan crafts.

He inherited the manufacturing tradition of rattan and up this date, he crafts and sells them in different local markets.