VIRAC, Catanduanes – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aims to enhance innovations in the abaca industry in this Bicol island province to help enhance the livelihoods of local farmers.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. told media his 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 enhancing its value, we will 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,” Solidum said.
DOST-Catanduanes director Marie Grace Molina, for her part, revealed a PHP10 million project focused on producing fiber textiles made from abaca.
“Recently, the PTRI delivered equipment for the project. Renovations for the facility will start this September, provided by the Catanduanes State University. We will process abaca fiber in the facility. 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 shared that Catanduanes will supply open fibers made from abaca and will be using bleached cotton for the textiles. “We also talked 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 added.
Molina said they hope to assist over 18,000 abaca farmers in Catanduanes. “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 concluded.