The Philippine government is seeking to modernise the country’s abaca industry through science and technology initiatives, aiming to boost farmer incomes and expand the fibre’s role in the textile sector.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced that it is prioritising research and innovation in abaca production in Catanduanes, a province regarded as the country’s “abaca capital”.
Officials said the initiative is designed to add value to the crop – also known internationally as Manila hemp – by creating new uses in textiles and other industries.
Focus on value-added textiles
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. told the Philippine News Agency that the department is supporting projects to move abaca beyond raw fibre production.
He said the approach reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call, in his recent State of the Nation Address, for stronger investment in the local textile industry.
“Abaca is a product that has been around for a long time, but we need to innovate,” Solidum said.
“Traditionally, if we only focus on raw abaca without any value addition, we fall short.
“The local textile industry, mentioned by President Marcos in his SONA, is one of the key areas we are pushing.”
A recent agreement between the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and Catanduanes State University will establish a collaborative programme to develop abaca-based textiles, he added.
READ MORE: Environment news: Singapore records highest number of hawksbill turtle nests in five
New processing facility
Marie Grace Molina, director of DOST-Catanduanes, said in a separate interview that a PHP10 million (around EUR135,000) project is under way to produce fibre textiles made from abaca.
The initiative includes new equipment supplied by PTRI and a facility being prepared at Catanduanes State University, with renovations expected to begin in September.
The centre will process raw abaca into open fibre, which can then be supplied to spinning facilities nationwide.
“We will buy raw abaca from farmers at a higher price and process it using technology developed by DOST-PTRI. The finished product will be sent to various spinning production facilities across the country,” Molina explained.
The project will initially use a mix of abaca and bleached cotton to produce textiles.
Discussions with local officials, including the mayor of Virac, are also under way to explore additional facilities to expand processing capacity.
“Our initial focus will be on producing open fibres that can be used as high-value inputs in textile production with industrial applications,” Molina said.
Supporting local farmers
The abaca plant has long been a major Philippine export, used in products ranging from ropes and speciality paper to tea bags and banknotes.
However, industry experts say its economic potential remains underutilised due to reliance on raw exports and limited value-added processing.
Molina said production at the new facility is expected to begin in January next year, with a daily capacity of 40 kilograms of raw fibre, yielding around 16 kilograms of finished product.
She added that the project aims to support more than 18,000 abaca farmers in Catanduanes by creating new markets and raising the price of raw fibre.
“With the expected demand for abaca, we are confident that the supply will be sufficient to meet market needs,” she said.
READ NEXT: Groups urge creation of langur conservation area in Vietnam
Shameeka Voyiya 
Lucia Caporalini 
Kamille Q. Cabreza