The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aims to enhance innovations in the abaca industry in Catanduanes, improving farmers’ livelihoods and adding value to their products.
In a press conference on Wednesday, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the agency is focused on expanding the abaca sector within the textile industry, as emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“Abaca is a product that has been around for a long time, but we need to innovate. 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. An agreement between the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and Catanduanes State University will further promote the textile sector,” he said.
In a separate interview, Marie Grace Molina, DOST-Catanduanes director, revealed a PHP10 million project focused on producing fiber textiles made from abaca.
“Recently, the PTRI delivered equipment, and renovations for the facility will start this September, provided by Catanduanes State University. In this facility, we will process open fiber made from abaca. 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,” she said.
Molina added that Catanduanes will supply open fibers made from abaca and will be using bleached cotton for the textiles.
“We also spoke with the mayor of Virac about additional facilities to aid in the production of open fibers for textiles. Our initial focus will be on producing open fibers that can be used as high-value inputs in textile production with industrial applications,” she noted.
She expressed confidence that with the expected demand for abaca, the supply would be sufficient to meet market needs.
“We anticipate starting production of open fibers by January next year. The facility can accommodate 40 kilograms per day, with a finished product output of 16 kilograms per day,” she added.
Molina said their goal is to assist more than 18,000 abaca farmers in the province. (PNA)
