The Weaving Product Development Workshop: A Training for Ata Women’s in Paquibato District inaugurated last August 25, 2022 at Sitio Pegdalahan, Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato District, Davao City. The training intends to develop additional livelihood and income for the women of Ata Tribe through capacitating their skills and talents in weaving production. Its goal is to provide access to comprehensive and sustainable entrepreneurial skills in order for them to reach their full economic potential whilst preserving culture and tradition and will be eventually passed on to the next generation.

The event was attended by Hon. Sebastian Z. Duterte- City Mayor of Davao, Consulate General Li Lin- Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao, Mr. Jaimie Floirendo Biaz- Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) representative, Ms. Luzminda C. Eblamo- Department Head of City Cooperative and Development Office, Mr. Lorenzo T. Verzano- Barangay Captain of Barangay Pandaitan, LTC Donald P. Gaffud- Commander of the 89th Infantry Battalion, PMAJ Joenel S. Pederio- Police Major of PNP Station 7 Malabog, Igbuyahon Bahani Edwin Omo – IPS ADMO Bahani Chairman and Biyo Alma Omo – Ata Women of Paquibato District Federation President.

The said workshop is a partnership between the City Government of Davao, through Peace 911 and the Chinese Consulate General in Davao.

The program started with a ritual executed by Datu Manuel Banataw of Ata Tribe Indigenous Political Structure.

Atty. Jonah Margarette F. Presto, Focal Person of Peace 911, introduced the guests and gave her heartful message to the participants, “Sa atuang mga ka igsuon-an nga naa diri, daghang salamat na kamo ang among kauban na ma abot ang kalinaw diri sa Paquibato. Para sa mga Ata tribe, ang akoa ma ingon sainyuha as Focal Person sa Peace 911, na hantod nanarbaho mi sa gobyerno, mu serbisyo mi sa inyuha ug palangga kaayo mo sa atong Mayor”, Atty. Presto said.

Ms. Alma Omo (Biyo Malitan), President of Ata Women Association, also expressed her gratefulness to the government because through this kind of training, they will be able to provide for their families and guide their children into loving their ethnic identity.

The project would not be possible without the support of Consulate General Li Lin from the People’s Republic of China in Davao. In the event, he stated that they will continually support in the implementation of the project, especially in the introduction and promotion of the Ata weaving products to Chinese tourists, and contribute ultimately in the economic recovery of the Ata Tribe in Paquibato District. He also thanked the participants for their participation in the training, “I would also like to thank the participants of this program. I hope that through your hard work and learning, you will level up your creative and artistic mind and with your beautiful hands, you will make this event a very big success”, Consulate Li Lin said.

The products of their basket weaving will be exhibited at the following locations: TADECO Livelihood and Training Center at Panabo City, Almacen Alternative Marketing Center at Catalunan Pequeño and Kadayawan Village at Magsaysay Park. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte also expressed his gratitude for the success of the program. He also hoped that this kind of training will help the Ata women to achieve their economic development. “Ang pinakamaayo ani parehas aning mga proyekto sa women is that kamo gyud ang mu-timon ug mag abri ug mga oportunidad nga kamo ra pud ang mugunit ug kamo rapu’y makabenepisyo. Pinaagi sa amoa ug ang tabang ni Consul Li Lin and China, ang gobyerno nila, ma-empower ang kababayen-an diri”, Mayor Duterte said.