Economic Empowerment Through Digital Transformation

In 2021, Panublix was established with the mission to connect creatives with sustainable tropical yarns and textiles.

But as part of this mission, we also seek to uplift the Filipino artisans who create our yarns and textiles, especially in this world of fast-paced, commercial production.

These artisans are the ones that make our sourcing platform a reality, and we believe in using our business to enable and empower them to be competitive in the global market.

The Panublix Weaving Enterprise Digital Enabler

Guided by SDG 8 and 10, we developed the Panublix Weaving Enterprise Digital Enabler (PWEDE).

PWEDE uses 4 steps to equip our artisans with everything they need to become high-quality digital businesses:

• Public-Private Partnerships: By partnering with both public and private organizations, we are able to give Panublix artisans access to external resources and support.

• Digital Economy Training and Supplier Development: By training our artisans on how to transition to the digital economy, as well as developing suppliers for the resources they need, we equip them for the future.

• Equitable and Transparent Supply Chains: By making transparency an integral part of every step in our supply chain, we strengthen the trust our customers have in our platform and our artisans.

• Digital Business Setup: Finally, by helping our artisans set up their digital businesses through our platform, we help them expand their customer base to include creatives from all over the world. 

Through PWEDE, we work towards fulfilling our goals for economic empowerment and digital transformation.  

Our Progress So Far

Despite launching in April 2021, Panublix has already taken concrete steps towards SDGs 8 and 10.

Partnerships and Support

In October 2021, we forged a key partnership with the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology. This agreement allows us to be the market partner for the Regional Yarn Production & Innovation Center (RYPIC) in Miag-ao, Iloilo, making us the only online seller of Iloilo Cotton yarn.

In November 2021, we were also given the Xendit Incubation Award, which gave us and our artisans access to Xendit’s easy-to-integrate digital payment services. Through this award and partnership, we have helped our artisans transition to the digital economy even faster.

In the past year alone, we have received support from over 13 brands, agencies, and institutions, including:

• Shell Livewire
• QBO and Ideaspace Foundation
• Department of Science and Technology (Region 6)
• National Economic and Development Authority (Region 6)
• Philippine Science High School Western Visayas
• Global Shapers Iloilo
• PhilDev Labs
• Uri Studio
• Filip Inna
• Lakat Sustainables and Creative Definitions

Digital Business Development and Transparency

Outside of partnerships, we have also enabled our artisans to register 23 enterprises, which have created and sustained an estimated 284 jobs, with at least 80% of employees being women.

Our client base has also expanded, and more than 60 brands, institutions, and customers have sourced tropical textiles and yarns from Panublix artisans.

But what we’re most proud of is how we’ve been able to support our artisans through our platform. After only one year, Panublix has earned more than ₱1,000,000, with 44% transmitted directly to partner communities and 56% invested in their transition to the digital economy. 

Economic Empowerment Through Digital Transformation

As we press forward, Panublix is aiming high with what we want to achieve. 

We have created a groundbreaking set of goals to be reached by 2030, which consists of:

• Developing at least 200 master weavers of Philippine Tropical Yarns
• Enabling at least 20,000 rural artisans through digitization and financing
• Including at least 1,000 rural artisan enterprises in the formal economy
• Multiplying the average artisan enterprise’s monthly income by 10

Our journey is just beginning, and we hope to have you along for the ride.

For more details about Panublix visit www.panublix.com or email us at hello[at]panublix.com. 

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Our Sustainable Development Goals

To help us fulfill our mission, we incorporated the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 10, and 12 into our business model. 

Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, our Panublix team is intent on adopting the following:

• SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

• SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

• SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Translated to the Philippines, these SDGs take on more specific definitions:

• SDG 8: Help rural artisan enterprises (especially in weaving) achieve higher levels of economic productivity, encourage MSME formalization, and increase their inclusion in the digital economy.

• SDG 10: Progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.

• SDG 12: Produce textiles that are certified by internationally-recognized standards and help transition the industry away from fossil-fuel produced synthetic fibers.

These Sustainable Development Goals serve as our compass, and keep us firmly on the ground as we forge ahead. 

To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, visit www.globalgoals.org.