Mountain Province bans machine-made woven products in all shops, online stores

A new local ordinance has just been put in place to prevent people from making and selling machine-made copies of traditional handwoven products in Mountain Province.

Earlier this month, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Mountain Province passed Provincial Ordinance No. 573, a resolution specifically designed to safeguard indigenous weaving within the province.

"For centuries, indigenous weaving has been an essential part of the Cordillera Indigenous People's way of life, serving both as a means of cultural expression and becoming part of our history and a vital source of livelihood," the explanatory note read.

It noted that the rise of machine-made replicas—fabrics and clothes that copy the patterns, symbols, and designs of Indigenous weaving, but are made using machines like digital or screen printing—poses a significant threat to the "Indigenous Peoples' tradition, economy, and business."

"The factory-made imitations not only diminish the authenticity and cultural value of indigenous weaving but also threaten the livelihood of traditional weavers who rely on their craft for sustenance," it continued.

"To safeguard the indigenous weaving heritage of the Cordillera, the production and sale of machine-made copies must be strictly prohibited," it said.

The local government unit passed Provincial Ordinance No. 573 on June 2, which prohibits all souvenir shops, garment stores, and online sellers in the province from manufacturing, distributing, or selling machine-made replicas of Cordillera indigenous woven materials and apparel in Mountain Province.

Violation of this ordinance will result in sanctions, including the confiscation of the machine-made copy or replica.

A first offense will result in a reprimand and a notice to explain. For a second offense, items will be confiscated. A third and any subsequent offenses will lead to the confiscation of items and the cancellation of permits.

"It is the duty of the local government to preserve the cultural heritage of the province, which includes the protection and preservation or indigenous weavings, which has been an essential part of the Cordillera Indigenous People's way of life, serving both as a means of cultural expression and becoming part of our history and a vital source of livelihood," the ordinance read.