Manila: The thriving softbroom industry in this town has become the bread and butter, if not an additional livelihood for residents. Isidro Doculan, 56, a softbroom maker and farmer, shared in an interview on Wednesday that there are approximately 600 to 700 individuals involved in the industry within their community in Barangay Tagudtud. Most families in the area have members engaged in softbroom production.

According to Philippines News Agency, Doculan manages a 25-square-meter plantation of buyboy or tiger grass, which serves as the primary raw material for softbrooms. He mentioned that they sometimes sell these raw materials to other provinces, such as Nueva Ecija. "I was able to send my children to college; one is now a teacher and the other one is a fresh graduate," he said, emphasizing the importance of softbroom making in their lives.

Jovel Itong, 30, has been involved in broom making since her childhood, a skill passed down through generations. Itong explained that a bundle of 60 softbrooms can be completed in one or two days, depending on the maker's speed. Their products are commonly sold in Baguio City, and she recently earned PHP10,000 from her sales.

Maria Calvadores added that tiger grass is planted during the rainy season and harvested from March to April. "We process its flower. It undergoes various processes such as drying and cleaning," she said. The processed grass is then stored for softbroom production.

The softbroom making in the town is part of the Agkaysa Ronda initiative by the provincial government of La Union and the local government unit, aimed at promoting the tourist areas, best practices, and products of the second district localities of the province.