A new chapter has began for the artisans of Barangay Anito in Gamay, Northern Samar as the Anito Handicraft Producers Association (AHPA) has officially opened its Wooden Handicraft Production Facility marking a milestone that blends tradition, innovation and sustainability.
Now fully operational, the inaugural opening of the production facility was graced by Gamay municipal mayor Timoteo Capoquian Jr. and highlighted the resilience and evolving craftsmanship of Anito’s woodcarvers—a long a source of pride for Northern Samar.
Given a ₱1.49M grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE)’s integrated livelihood initiative, the establishment of the facility was facilitated by Northern Samar’s Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) under the BLES Program.
With this program, AHPA has currently transitioned from large carvings to market-ready items such as keychains, utensils, souvenirs, and decor products well-suited to the growing tourism sector.
AHPA’s success was supported by skills training and aligned with Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan through his HCO development agenda which empowers artisans to sustain their craft and livelihoods—from wood to legacy—even while continuing to carve pride, purpose and sustainability for generations to come.
