The Role of the Local Government of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Preservation and Enhancement of the Abel Paoay Industry

Abstract

Abel Paoay industry is a cultural heritage of the people of Paoay which must be preserved and revitalized because it is part of the national patrimony. Meanwhile, the Local Government Code of 1991 transferred some functions and responsibilities previously handled by the National Government to the local government units. The Code empowered the local governments and granted them more autonomy to manage the political and social affairs in their respective jurisdictions. This undergraduate thesis seeks to answer the question of how the municipal government of Paoay, llocos Norte can assume a developmental and promotive role in the preservation and revitalization of this industry. The answer is that through special projects, policies and ordinances and with the assistance of the schools and the people in the municipality as well as the Congressional Representatives, the municipal government of Paoay can assume a developmental and promotive role, This thesis intends to show and compare the plight of the weaving industry in other places in the Philippines with that of the plight of the Abel Paoay. Hence, the history of Philippine cloth weaving was traced and the reasons which caused its decline were identified. Similarly, the historical background of Abel Paoay industry was also discussed. The opinion of the respondents and the interviewees regarding the topic were also included in the discussion. . Finally, the thesis concluded that the municipal government of Paoay should act as the focal point of all actions and activities being done to preserve and promote the Abel Paoay industry. It should act as catalyst to hasten or speed up the restoration and revitalization efforts for the Abel Paoay industry.