Advancing its global standing as one of the United Nations’ Cities Towards Zero Waste, Iloilo City successfully concluded a free, six-day circular fashion and livelihood training program.
Project SALOG (Strengthening Adaptive Livelihoods and Organizing Grassroots Circular Enterprises) equipped 60 participants from the Women in Iloilo City for Sustainable Endeavors (WISE) of Barangay Lanit, Jaro with high-value dressmaking and upcycling skills.
The program focuses on circular fashion, transforming discarded fabrics, such as old linens, used bedsheets, and ukay-ukay, into wearable garments and accessories, effectively diverting textile waste from landfills.
The training concluded on June 17, 2026, at the Iloilo City Business Center.
Internationally acclaimed Ilonggo lifestyle designer, PJ Arañador, spearheaded the training.
“The output is to create garments that we can sell two ways: ready-made or haute couture, utilizing thrown-away textiles,” he said.
While the concept of sustainability was easily embraced, mastering the technical execution proved to be the real challenge due to the intricate nature of traditional Filipino garment making.
“We stitch not only dresses but also resilience, identity, and cultural preservation through culture using pre-loved fabrics and clothing with high-value products with zero-waste manufacturing.” Arañador shared in a Facebook post.
SUPPORTING GRASSROOTS ENTREPRENEURS
For the participants, Project SALOG represents an additional income stream for an Ilonggo family.
Mildred Basea, a stay-at-home mother who discovered her passion for sewing through her mother’s old machine, eagerly seized the opportunity to professionalize her skills.
“Gusto ko nga makahibalo magtahi sang bayo, blouses. Amo na nga sang nagka-opportunity nga magtraining, gin grab ko. Nami amon trainor kay gina guide gid kami. Subong, ang ginahimo namon pang-livelihood, nga maka-create kami sang pwede namon ibaligya,” Basea shared.
Another participant, Glaizel Mae Jaucian, who started sewing on a portable machine during the pandemic and previously completed a dressmaking course through the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, noted that the grassroots enterprise is already generating income.
“Naka-income na kami sa ecobag. May ara kami customer nga around 200 bags gin-order sa amon. Daku gid nga opportunity kay ginhatag ni sa amon libre lang,” Jaucian said.
Project SALOG’s success highlights a robust partnership between local government, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies.
The sewing equipment utilized by the weavers is part of the 24 heavy-duty sewing units donated by the Angat Buhay Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and four sewing units previously procured by the City General Services Office (GSO) funded through the city’s plastic credits program.
The entire training was organized and managed by the City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office. (Iloilo City PIO)
