The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is promoting abaca school bag production as an alternative livelihood initiative in Leyte provinces. This effort aims to revive fiber-based handicrafts by providing training to local residents. A recent training session was conducted in Southern Leyte, where 25 participants learned the process of creating abaca school bags, including design, assembly, and quality control. These trainees will serve as trainers for wider community outreach. Southern Leyte is the leading abaca producer in Eastern Visayas, having yielded 1,457 metric tons in 2024, while Leyte ranked third with 606.16 metric tons.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a government-led initiative to promote abaca-based handicrafts as an alternative livelihood program. It presents factual information about the training sessions, the involvement of PhilFIDA, and the economic significance of abaca in the region. There is no evident ideological,


