Traditional woodcarvers in Anito village in Gamay, Northern Samar, have transformed from creators of large wooden masterpieces to makers of small souvenir items for tourists.

Jhon Allen Berbon, head of the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO), said in a phone interview on Friday that capacitating woodcarvers to make souvenir items assures them of more stable income.

“Large carvings often required bigger buyers, specialized transport, and longer selling periods. As a result, many local artisans struggled to sustain a steady income despite their skills,” Berbon said.

The association’s project now focuses on producing keychains, utensils, souvenir pieces, and other items that are easier to sell, more affordable, and increasingly in demand with the recent surge in Northern Samar’s tourism industry, according to Berbon.

“Visitors often seek authentic keepsakes, and handcrafted wooden items made by local artisans perfectly capture the community’s culture and heritage,” he said.

PEDIPO recently held a wooden handicraft production training for woodcarvers in Anito village, equipping them with updated techniques to improve design, durability, and market readiness.

The training is part of an initiative supported through a PHP1.49-million grant from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program and facilitated by the PEDIPO under its Barangay Livelihood Empowerment and Sustainability Program.

For generations, woodcarvers in Anito village have been known for using native woods such as bamboo, mango, coconut, kamagong, and hanagasi.

Artisans created large wooden masterpieces, from religious statues to furniture and other intricate pieces that showcased their extraordinary craftsmanship. (PNA)