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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4262 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
FIBER 
INDUSTRY 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has an abundance of natural fibers like abaca, piña, t’nalak, 
bamboo, waterlily, etc. Natural fibers are used in various applications – building 
materials, particle boards, insulation boards, human food and animal feed, 
cosmetics, medicine, and for other biopolymers and fine chemicals. And now, due 
to technological advancements, it is also used in the textile industry. Further, when 
these are properly developed and protected, it will greatly contribute to the country’s 
economic growth due to its better formability, abundant, renewable, cost-effective, 
sustainable, and eco-friendly features.  
However, while the fiber industry boosted due to its contribution in the textile 
industry, reports show another decline in such industry. This is caused by new 
machines that are too advanced to farmers, limited farms dedicated to cultivating the 
crops, numerous typhoons massively damaging the farms, few programs that support 
and maintain the development, production, and processing of the fiber crops, and 
September 1, 2025
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covid-induced movement restrictions imposed by different local government units 
hindering the transport and movement, among others. 
Thus, this bill seeks to institutionalize the country’s Fiber Industry 
Development Program which shall serve as a guide to the formulation and 
implementation of plans, projects, programs, and policies for the scientific 
propagation, processing, utilization, and expansion of trade of the Philippine major 
fibers. Further, it will revive the development, production, processing, marketing, 
and distribution of local fibers which will then generate more job opportunities and 
provide income to people living in rural areas thus spurring economic growth. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K.  ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A. ACIDRE 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4262 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
FIBER 
INDUSTRY 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Fiber 
Industry Development Program". 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right of the Filipino people to a better quality o f life, 
improve their living conditions, through programs that provide sustainable 
livelihood, increase employment, and protect the environment. 


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Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as: 
 
a) Program refers to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Program 
(PFIDP) designed to promote the competitiveness of the Philippine fiber 
industry worldwide; 
 
b) Philippine Fiber Industry Development Council (PFIDC) refers to the 
council established herewith; and  
 
c) Secretariat refers to the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine 
Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) which shall be the Secretariat of 
the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Coordinating Council as 
contained herewith. 
 
Section 4. Creation of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development 
Coordinating Council (PFIDCC). - There is hereby created a Philippine Fiber 
Industry Development Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, 
administratively attached to the DOST-PTRI, charged with the main function of 
coordinating the activities of various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the 
accomplishment of the Philippine Fiber Framework for Development. 
 
The Chairman of the Council shall submit an annual report to both Houses of 
Congress on the status of the implementation of this Act. 
 
Section 5. Composition of the PFIDCC. - The PFIDCC shall be composed 


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of the following: 
 
a) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as Chairman 
(DOST); 
 
b) The Executive Director of Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) as 
Head of the Council Secretariat; 
 
c) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR); 
 
d) Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); 
 
e) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA); 
 
f) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); 
 
g) Representative from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; 
 
h) Representative from the League of Provinces; 
 
i) Representative from the state universities and colleges (SUCs) with Fiber 
Development Extension Program; 
 
j) Representative from a reputable Private Fiber Industry Association; 
 


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k) Two (2) Representatives from Fiber Farmers/Producers/Processors’ 
Associations; and 
 
l) One (1) Representative from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). 
 
The council shall regularly meet every two (2) months and may hold special 
meetings, whenever the need arises, to consider urgent matters upon the call of the 
Chairman or any seven (7) Council members. 
 
Section 6. Institutionalizing the Philippine Fiber Industry Development 
Program (PFIDP). - There is hereby established the Philippine Fiber Industry 
Development Program, within the mandate of the DOST-PTRI, which shall be a ten 
(10) year framework and shall serve as guide to the formulation and implementation 
of plans, projects, programs and policies for the scientific propagation, processing, 
utilization, and expansion of trade of Philippine major fibers. The Framework shall 
likewise provide for the following: 
 
a) Site Identification. The DENR in coordination with the DA, DAR and the 
local government units (LGUs), shall identify the broad areas suitable for 
the planning and propagation of Philippine fibers, within six (6) months 
after the effectivity of this Act; 
 
b) Scientific Propagation and Development. The DENR and the DOST shall 
establish cultivation and propagation of Philippine disease-free and 
disease-resistant varieties of Philippine major fibers. The DOST shall also 
provide for the transfer and improvement of appropriate technology and 


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techniques, which will be utilized in the production, processing, marketing, 
and distribution. Particular emphasis shall also be made on adoption and 
upgrading of post-harvest technology; 
 
c) Production Support and Extension. The DENR, DA, DTI, and the DOST, 
in coordination with the LGUs, NGOs, Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA), Cooperative Development Authority 
(CDA), SUCs, and other relevant government agencies, shall establish 
programs which promote and provide adequate training on adapting 
technologies to individuals engaged in propagation, production, 
processing, marketing, and distribution of Philippine fiber, and strengthen 
farmers/producers/processors’ cooperatives and organizations involved in 
the sustainable and viable development of Philippine fiber; 
 
d) Market Promotion and Expansion of Trade. The DTI, in coordination with 
Private Industry Associations, shall link-up agribusiness cooperatives and 
organizations directly with consumers’ cooperatives and organizations, 
agro-processing companies, or exporters to provide marketing outlets and 
assure relatively higher and stable prices of fiber. This also includes 
exploring national and international markets and facilitating the 
participation of local farmers, growers, and exporters in local and 
international conferences, trade fairs, expositions, and exhibit; 
 
e) Infrastructure Development. Access to post-harvest facilities as well as 
storage and distribution/transport facilities of existing government 
agencies shall be facilitated by the DENR, LGUs, and the DA; 


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f) Quality Assurance. To ensure health and proper trading, the DTI and 
DOST shall establish and enforce standards in grading, sampling and 
inspection, tests and analysis, specifications, nomenclature, units of 
measurement, packaging, preservation, conservation, or transportation of 
Philippine fiber products and by products; 
 
g) Philippine Fiber Information Center. The DTI, in coordination with 
LGUs, shall establish a Philippine Fiber Information Center in areas where 
they are abundant. 
 
Section 7. Philippine Fiber Information Fund. - To provide for the funding 
requirements for the propagation, production, processing, marketing, promotion, and 
distribution of Philippine fibers, there is hereby created a Philippine Fiber 
Development Fund (PFDF), with an initial amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos 
(Php 500,000,000.00) upon the approval of this Act and every year thereafter, to be 
provided by the Department of Budget and Management in the DOST-PTRI's 
budget. This is in addition to PTRI's existing allocation under the General 
Appropriations Act for the development of other fibers and its administrative, 
regulatory, and operational expenses. 
 
For the succeeding years, for the next nine (9) years from the approval of this 
Act, a minimum amount of not less than five hundred million pesos (Php 
500,000,000.00) annually shall be allocated for the development and sustainability 
of the Philippine fiber industry. The requirements of cooperating agencies shall be 
incorporated in their respective budget from the General Appropriations fund. 


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Section 8. The Council Secretariat. - The Council Secretariat shall be headed 
by the Director of the PTRI. The Secretariat and technical staff shall be detailed from 
their existing personnel without prejudice to the designation by the Council of such 
additional staff members as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its 
function and responsibilities. 
 
Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Fiber 
Industry Development Coordinating Council shall formulate and prescribe the 
necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
 
Section 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions 
hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
Section 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Approved,