Canlambo Women's Multi-purpose Cooperative

A few years ago, a group of women in Canlambo, Larena, Siquijor underwent training on basic dressmaking under the Non-Formal Education Program of the then Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS). They used their acquired sewing skills in their homes, for the benefit of their families.

Then, in January 1998, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) set these women on the road to entrepreneurship when it organized 20 of them into the Canlambo Women's Association and facilitated its registration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as a rural workers group.

In August of the same year, DTI turned over to the association six Singer sewing machines and one Disc-o-matic as Common Service Facilities (CSFs) costing P50,000.

This was followed by Skills Training on Quilt Making, which gave them the impetus to start the production of quilted household textile items, using the house of the president as production center.

Then in 1999, DTI initiated a move to solicit assistance from government officials and local businessmen to fund the construction of a makeshift common production center.

The group manufactured quilted covers of various home appliances, throw pillows, sofa and bed covers, with buyers in Larena and neighboring cities.

DTI sustained its assistance through skills upgrading seminars and workshops in quality control and productivity improvement. The program also extended marketing assistance in terms of market linkages and participation in trade fairs and exhibits.

In the third quarter of 2000, the association graduated into a cooperative and registered with Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as the Canlambo Women's Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

Seeing the potential of the project, DTI prepared proposals for fund sourcing which led to the group's identification as one of the recipients of the "Lingap Para sa Mahirap" Program.

In October 2000, it was granted a financial assistance in the amount of P100,000 which provided the cooperative the long-needed additional working capital for the project.

In 2003, the group was able to access P100,000 financial grant from the DOLE for the expansion of the production center.

With all the fund support, the cooperative expanded product lines. Now, the group produces curtains, baby comforters and bed sheets. There is also a plan to go into mass production and expand the cooperative's market base to other places.

Although the cooperative's economic venture is only a part-time undertaking for the members, it has provided them with an additional source of income, contributed to family's earnings, uplifted their quality of life, and given them a sense of well-being.

Canlambo Women's Multi-Purpose Cooperative is offering to supply quilted textile items. The products are available in different colors. They include the following: cloths, threads, zippers, fiber fills, foam ribbons.

Prices and other terms of trade will be discussed directly with interested parties.

The organization can supply 1 000 pieces each of small items, and 300 pieces each of big items per month.

The organization has 22 members.

Contact address:
Canlambo, Larena
Siquijor
6226 Philippines
Mrs. Letty B. Vicoy, President
Tel: (6335) 4809065 (63917) 7474614
Fax: (6335) 4809065