SM Sunrise Weaving Association in Ibaan, Batangas: A SWOT Analysis

Traditional handloom weaving communities in the Philippines face pressure from industrial textile competition and an aging artisan base with few young successors, threatening the survival of generations-old craft traditions. This study assessed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a handloom weaving association in Batangas to develop a strategic plan for cultural preservation and sustainability. A descriptive-evaluative qualitative design was employed, gathering data from eleven of the association's seventeen active members through a bilingual, open-ended assessment tool, supplemented by site observation. Results showed that members were predominantly senior adults earning a modest, uniform monthly wage and having elementary-level education. The leading strengths were weaving skills and product quality, while the most pressing weakness was limited market access, closely associated with the scarcity of young weavers. Online selling emerged as the leading opportunity, while rising material costs were identified as the dominant threat. Findings indicated that long-term survival depended on closing the gap between strong production capability and weak market reach through digital channels while addressing generational succession. A proposed strategic sustainability plan prioritizes a digital sales platform, digital literacy training, government support, and product presentation improvements, providing the association, policymakers, and cultural preservationists with a roadmap for safeguarding traditional weaving for future generations.