Suba-Weave Innovation Center Launched in Buug to Revive Subanen Weaving Tradition

Daphne Santuyo

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay - Efforts to preserve indigenous culture and create sustainable livelihoods in Zamboanga Sibugay gained momentum with the installation of handlooms in Barangay Datu Panas, Buug, marking the establishment of the Suba-Weave Innovation Center.

The initiative forms part of a broader cultural and livelihood program aimed at reviving the traditional weaving practices of the Subanen people, one of the region’s indigenous communities.

For Governor Ann K. Hofer, the initiative reflects a long-standing mission to rediscover, preserve, and promote the weaving traditions of the Subanen people across Zamboanga Sibugay. Over the years, her administration has actively supported efforts to bring indigenous craftsmanship back into the mainstream, recognizing its cultural significance while transforming it into a viable source of livelihood for local communities.

Five handlooms have already been delivered and installed in Buug, providing aspiring weavers with the necessary tools to begin training and production. The center is expected to serve as a hub for cultural preservation and skills development in the municipality.

Training for future weavers is being facilitated by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), which plays a key role in strengthening the country’s textile industry by supporting grassroots weaving communities through technical expertise and capacity-building initiatives.

Local government support has also been crucial to the program’s rollout, with Barangay Captain Argie Sumpo allowing the temporary use of the barangay hall as a workspace for the weavers.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Atty. Jay Millena shared that the rollout of the program is already expanding across Zamboanga Sibugay, with the delivery of additional handlooms to the municipalities of Siay and Kabasalan currently underway. He noted that operations in Kabasalan will temporarily be housed in a provisional site while the construction of a permanent structure in Sitio Simbol, envisioned as the province’s main Suba-Weave Innovation Hub is in progress. He further indicated that existing sites in Buug and Siay are set to undergo renovations to better accommodate the growing number of trainees and to improve working conditions for local weavers.

Beyond preserving tradition, the Suba-Weave Innovation Center aims to generate sustainable livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and members of indigenous communities.

With the continued expansion of the program, Zamboanga Sibugay moves closer to establishing a network of innovation hubs that will not only safeguard Subanen heritage but also empower communities through weaving—bridging culture, identity, and economic growth.