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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS TIME ZY,
First Regular Session aa
HOUSE BILL NO. 408

Introduced by Representative JESUS R. MARQUEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the establishment of a Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority Training and Assessment Center in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of
Aklan, with the objective of revitalizing and institutionalizing the pifia handloom weaving
industry in the locality. It aims to strengthen the industry's value chain, enhance the
global competitiveness of its products, and secure sustainable livelihoods for
communities engaged in the craft, particularly in the Province of Aklan.

The measure was previously approved by the House of Representatives on
09 August 2023 during the 19th Congress, and transmitted to the Senate on 14 August
2023, having been originally filed by former Congressman Carlito S. Marquez.

While the island of Boracay has brought international recognition to the western
part of Panay, there exists a broader cultural and economic landscape in the provinces of
Aklan, Antique, and western Iloilo. These areas are home to historical landmarks, vibrant
festivals, and enduring artisanal traditions. Among Aklan’s most valuable contributions
to national heritage is its pifia fiber weaving industry, which has historically produced
garments such as the Barong Tagalog and Baro't Saya, bags, mats, shawls, and other
Filipiniana items highly regarded both locally and abroad.

Pifia weaving constitutes an essential cottage industry, sustaining the livelihoods
of countless rural families, including women, retirees, and members of indigenous
communities. In many towns, clusters of skilled weavers continue to fulfill domestic and
export orders, keeping the tradition alive. The craft is a heritage practice dating back to
the Spanish colonial era, with records indicating that Kalibo’s pifia cloth was actively
traded as early as the pre-Hispanic period and reached distant markets such as Greece
and Egypt.

Known as the Queen of Philippine Fabrics, pifia cloth is distinguished by its unique
quality, labor-intensive production process, and cultural significance. Fibers are
meticulously extracted by hand from native pineapple leaves, knotted manually, and
woven using traditional looms. The resulting fabric is lightweight, sheer, and typically

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ivory in color, Each garment produced is considered a work of art—an heirloom that
embodies patience, craftsmanship, and pride.

Despite its cultural and economic value, the pifia weaving industry is currently in
a state of decline. The rigorous training required to master the craft, coupled with limited
institutional support, has led toa shrinking number of skilled artisans. Although Republic
‘Act No. 3470 (An Act Creating the National Cottage Industries Development Authority)
was enacted to promote cottage industries, its implementation has fallen short in
safeguarding the continuity of pifia handloom weaving. The erosion of this tradition
would not only affect the livelihoods of artisans but also endanger a living legacy of
indigenous knowledge and cultural identity.

We therefore advocate for the creation of the Kalibo Aklan TESDA Pifia Training
and Assessment Center that shall serve as the cornerstone for the revitalization and long-
term sustainability of the pifia handloom weaving industry. It shall function as the central
institution for training, innovation, and knowledge preservation in the field of pifia
weaving.

With adequate support from government agencies such as the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and local organizations such as.
the Aklan Pifia Manufacturers and Traders Association, the pifia weaving industry will
generate significant employment and foster economic growth, particularly in rural and
marginalized communities.

This measure will lead to huge potential and economic rewards for indigenous
weavers, their families, and their communities. It will raise the standard of living and
benefit the country. As yet, though, local profit margins are small, and are likely to remain
so until they can propel themselves into the world marketplace. In order to fully revive
this traditional industry, cooperatives need to work together for development, funding
and international fair trade.

The State affirms its commitment to the promotion of cultural heritage industries
as instruments of sustainable development, inclusive growth, and national pride. In doing
so, the Philippines honors its weavers and preserves for future generations the artistry,
discipline, and dignity of pifia handloom weaving.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

—
CZ
Ht US “Jes R. MARQUEZ


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. _ 408

Introduced by Representative JESUS R. MARQUEZ

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT CENTER IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, PROVINCE OF AKLAN AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Establishment of a Training and Assessment Center. — There is
hereby established a training and assessment center, under the supervision of the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to be known as the
“Kalibo, Aklan TESDA Pifia Handloom Weaving, Training, and Assessment Center”. It
shall be located in a highly accessible area in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan,
pursuant to the purposes of this Act and the agreement between the TESDA and the
concerned local government units (LGUs).

SEC. 2. General Mandate. — The Kalibo, Aklan TESDA Pifia Handloom Weaving,
Training, and Assessment Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, shall primarily
provide technical vocational education and training (TVET) programs to students and
local residents from low-income families and out-of-school youths, including persons
with disabilities and indigenous peoples, to help them become productive, self-reliant,
and globally competitive labor assets in the art, craft, and trade of handloom weaving,
particularly of pifia fiber.

The Center shall provide effective employment interventions through training
programs on relevant skills in trade competencies, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship
activities to help hasten the development of the host area and its adjacent localities into
human resource and productivity hubs in meeting the manpower qualification standards
of both local and international labor markets for pifia handloom weaving.

The Center, as accredited by TESDA, shall assess the acquired competencies in
‘TVET programs for handloom weaving in the Municipality of Kalibo and the adjacent
localities in the Province of Aklan. It shall also provide teachers’ training and curriculum


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design assistance to the secondary schools offering the technical-vocational livelihood
(TVL) track under the K to 12 Program in coordination with the Department of Education
(DepEd), TESDA, Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), and the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

SEC. 3. Training Programs. — The Center shall offer diverse short-term
certificate courses and modular trainings in skills specialization in handloom weaving. To
this end, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) PTRI, NCCA, business-industry partners, and such other relevant agencies and
instrumentalities, both local and international, shall provide the necessary assistance to
enable the Center to develop skilled and competitive manpower to achieve a robust and
inclusive economy in the host area and adjacent localities in the Province of Aklan.

The Center may establish research and technology hubs, technology development
farms, satellite or extension training centers, and promote mobile training programs for
handloom weaving technology, skills standardization, design concepts, and product
commercialization geared towards the acquisition of practical livelihood, employable
skills, gainful employment, and entrepreneurship in priority areas in the Municipality of
Kalibo and adjacent localities in the Province of AKlan.

To address the manpower needs for skilled artists, craftsmen, and designers for
handloom weaving, the Center shall offer the following TESDA-registered training
programs with competencies assessment leading to National Certification Levels I-III:

a. Skills training in handloom weaving through use of emerging new techniques
and methods, and operation of small and medium-scale handloom weaving
machinery and equipment, especially for pifia hand weaving;

b. Short-term basic skills trainings and seminars focused on the re-introductions
of handloom weaving, revival of traditional handloom weaving techniques and
designs, funding and infrastructure support for handloom machines and
equipment, and relevant market information on product promotion in both
domestic and international trade exposition;

c. Practical training methods in the use of natural and synthetic fiber materials,
pifia fiber, modern cloth-making technology, and development and production
of alternative handloom weaving materials and sources;

d. Training programs on handloom weaving design concepts in both indigenous
patterns and modern designs, and product diversification and uses, specifically
for pifia cloth;

e. Livelihood trainings and small business literacy programs on the
institutionalization and commercialization of Philippine handloom weaving
training, especially for pifia cloth, and end products, in all aspects promoting

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handloom weaving through research and development, production support
and extension, education and training, fiber processing and utilization
technologies, market promotion and investment facilitation, infrastructure
development, standards implementation and trade regulation, including
international demand benchmarking for handloom-made products;

f. Strengthening collaboration of the various handloom weaving industry
stakeholders, and development of the handloom weaving fiber sector;

g. Basic business literacy training in financial management and marketing,
practical accountancy, bookkeeping, office procedures, business processes and
application procedures including registration, licensing, documentation,
business patent and intellectual property regulation, business financing and
investment opportunities sourcing, import-export accreditation, online home-
based business operation, and use of social media business marketing; and

h. Other relevant trainings that may be needed by the people of Kalibo and the
Province of Aklan specifically focused on handloom weaving to enhance their
capacities for practical livelihood, gainful employment and entrepreneurial
activities.

SEC. 4. Compliance with TESDA Requirements. — The provisions of this Act
notwithstanding, the Center shall become operational only upon the issuance by the
TESDA of a formal recommendation and certificate of compliance attesting that the
Center has satisfactorily complied with the minimum standards of quality it has
prescribed governing the following:

(a) Standard procedures and guidelines for the establishment and operation of a
Center;

(b) Operational sustainability of the Center, in terms of licensed faculty-trainers
and personnel, equipment, training and laboratory facilities, instructional
materials, and other standard requirements of a Center;

(c) Sustainable funding source and allocation of the budgetary requirement;

(d) Full alignment of the training programs offered with the minimum standards
of competency-based quality technical vocational skills and the technology
needs of the host area and adjacent communities served within the context of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations integration and the Philippine
Qualifications Framework for TVET; and

(e) Compliance with such other TESDA conditionalities and standards as may be
necessary and applicable in establishing a Center.

SEC. 5. Administration of the Center.- The Center shall be headed by a
Technical-Vocational Administrator who shall render full-time service and be responsible
for its administration and operation, under the supervision of the TESDA.


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The Technical-Vocational Administrator shall be appointed by the TESDA Director
General in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission and
the qualification requirements for such office.

The Technical-Vocational Administrator may enter into agreements with locally-
based private and public counterpart agencies, instrumentalities or persons, and seek
such assistance as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act, subject to the
approval of the TESDA Director General.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. ~ The Director General of the TESDA shall include in the
Authority's program the operation of the Center, the funding of which shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The LGUs concerned, in consultation with the TESDA, shall set aside from any
available local revenue an amount deemed appropriate as annual counterpart fund to
support the operation of the Center herein established.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days after the
approval of this Act, the TESDA shall, in coordination with the DOLE, DTI, DOST, DA,
Department of Budget and Management, DepEd, DILG, NEDA, PTRI, NCCA, the
concerned LGUs, and such other relevant agencies and industry-business partners of the
host locality, prepare and issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
this Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof shall
not be affected and shall remain in force and in effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,