Inabanga, Bohol — September 9, 2025. As part of their Trade Techno Mission – Benchmarking Activity in Bohol, the Nueva Vizcaya delegation conducted a learning visit to Mara & Aram Baglines, a microenterprise that has earned recognition for its eco-friendly products and community-based production model.
Founded on May 3, 2017, by Mr. Lauro D. Lopido, a former Overseas Filipino Worker from Sto. Rosario, Inabanga, Bohol, the enterprise is engaged in producing a variety of sustainable and innovative bags. Its flagship brand, Sinapido, derives its name from the Bisaya word “sinapid” meaning “braid”, combined with the owner’s surname—symbolizing the interweaving of local culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
What distinguishes Mara & Aram Baglines is its use of saguran and raffia, indigenous and renewable fibers sourced locally. These materials are woven and braided by artisans within the community, reflecting the company’s dual mission of producing high-quality, eco-friendly products while providing income-generating opportunities for local families. By prioritizing indigenous craftsmanship, the enterprise not only preserves cultural traditions but also positions sustainable products for both domestic and international markets.
The Nueva Vizcaya delegation learned how the company’s vision—to lead in creating sustainable, high-end products from indigenous and recyclable materials—and mission—to innovate eco-friendly products that empower artisans and reduce environmental waste—are lived out in practice. Each Sinapido bag embodies both craftsmanship and community empowerment, turning traditional weaving into a livelihood opportunity and a platform for sustainable development.
This visit also reinforced the cooperative links between microenterprises and community development, aligning strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
* SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – through job creation for local artisans,
* SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) – by promoting product innovation rooted in local resources, and
* SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) – through the use of renewable, indigenous, and recyclable materials.
For the Nueva Vizcaya delegation, Mara & Aram Baglines serves as a benchmark for sustainable enterprise models—showing how innovation, cultural identity, and environmental responsibility can be woven together to strengthen both the economy and community livelihoods.
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