17/02/2026
Baguio moves to protect indigenous weaving from machine-made imitations
By Mia Magdalena Fokno
February 16, 2026
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A proposed ordinance in Baguio City seeks to protect Cordillera hand-woven textiles from machine-made imitations, aiming to preserve indigenous cultural heritage and secure the livelihoods of traditional weavers.
Authored by Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., the measure would establish the Baguio City Textile Heritage Protection Protocol, a legal and cultural framework designed to prevent unauthorized reproduction of traditional designs and ensure intellectual property rights remain with Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs).
The proposal has been approved on first reading and referred to the City Council committee on culture and education for further review.
The ordinance introduces a three-tier protection system covering physical weaving assets, cultural knowledge, and intellectual property.
The city would create a heritage registry of traditional looms, antique textiles, and weaving tools, while also documenting the cultural meanings, oral histories, and rituals associated with specific patterns, including those considered sacred.
To protect ownership, the measure supports the registration of Geographical Indications and Collective Marks, alongside a digital database of verified designs in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI). A city-issued Seal of Authenticity would identify genuine hand-woven Cordillera textiles.
A proposed Baguio Textile Task Force, composed of city offices, weaving cooperatives, elders, and national agencies, would oversee implementation and ensure compliance with indigenous rights laws, including Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
The ordinance defines several prohibited acts, including:
• Selling machine-made textiles that copy traditional designs
• Mislabeling factory-made products as hand-woven
• Using sacred patterns without community consent
• Unauthorized use of the city’s authenticity seal
• Exploitative contracts that deny fair compensation to weavers
Violators would face escalating penalties, beginning with warnings and cultural and intellectual property orientation, followed by stronger sanctions for repeat offenses.
The measure also provides support programs such as material subsidies, apprenticeship training for young weavers, legal assistance, and expanded market access for certified products.
The proposal responds to growing concern over the spread of machine-made imitations, which are often cheaper and sometimes falsely marketed as authentic Cordillera weaves.
For indigenous communities, weaving is both livelihood and cultural expression. Patterns reflect identity, ancestry, and community history, passed down through generations. But as factory-made replicas flood markets, traditional weavers face unfair competition and declining income.
Without protection, advocates warn that younger generations may abandon weaving, accelerating the loss of cultural knowledge.
Baguio’s move aligns with similar efforts across the region. In 2025, Mountain Province passed an ordinance banning the production and sale of machine-made replicas of indigenous woven fabrics.
National agencies such as DOST-PTRI and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples have also expanded training, technical support, and intellectual property protection to strengthen indigenous weaving communities.
If enacted, the Baguio ordinance would formalize protections for one of the Cordillera’s most enduring cultural traditions, ensuring that authentic weaving remains both culturally respected and economically viable in the modern market.
