NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
of 
. ft.: rr-
'22 JUL 12 All «5
SENATE
s.No. 349
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE FIBER INDUSTRY 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BY STRENGTHENING THE DEPARTMENT OF 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - PHILIPPINE TEXTILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE 
(DOST-PTRI) AND THE PHILIPPINE FIBER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 
(PHILFIDA) BY CREATING THE PHILIPPINE FIBER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to spur the revival and the development, production, processing, 
marketing and distribution of Philippine local fibers in suitable areas of the country in 
order to provide income to people living in rural areas and spur economic growth.
Before Spanish colonization, native Filipinos weaved using fibers from abaca, cotton, 
and bark cloth. They also weave all of the clothing that was worn then. The woven 
textiles express both the agricultural roots of each community, as well as a strong 
non-Christian belief system animated by ancestral and natural spirits, such as the 
wind god, a motif prevalent in weaving communities. Filipino artistry and creativity are 
evident in various art forms but what makes the weaving culture distinct.
The textile industry began in the country in the 1950s. It covers: fiber production, and 
yarn, fabric, garment, and made-up textile manufacture. The primary processing 
sector includes spinning, twisting, weaving, knitting, dyeing and finishing. Spinning 
involves the mixture of natural and man-made fibers into yarns and threads. The 
weaving process turns yarns and threads into woven fabrics, while the knitting 
process, produces knitted fabrics. The finishing stage improves the appearance, 
texture and quality of fabrics through bleaching, dyeing, printing, and treatment. The 
secondary-processing sector includes garment and made-up textile goods 
manufacturing.


The weaving of indigenous textiles with cotton fiber is an integral part of the country's 
culture but It has been neglected for some time. The traditional weavers have turned 
to the use of synthetic thread due to cotton scarcity over the past few decades. In the 
past, the thread was made from various materials such as cotton, jusi (banana fiber), 
pina (pineapple fiber), ramie or Chinese nettle found in Mindanao Is even stronger 
than cotton and wool and Maguey can be used as upholstery and wall covering, table 
linens and curtains. Nowadays, It's just mostly made from cotton and rayon thread 
because, unfortunately, prices of raw materials have skyrocketed over the years.
We Filipinos can take pride in the amazing diversity and beauty of our textile arts and 
weaving traditions.
The Pina cloth originated from Akian. Considered the finest of Philippine textiles, the 
pina fabric Is made from the fibers of the leaves of the red Bisaya pineapple through 
an arduous process. The pina is the preferred material for the barong Tagalog. Hablon 
is a type of woven cloth most often seen during formal events, fashion shows, and in 
homes of Ilongos. It is taken from the Hillgaynon word "habol", meaning "to weave".
The Ilocano of northwestern Philippines Is well-known for their Inabel hand weaving, 
a tradition with ancient roots, with the kapas or cotton as the main material. The abel 
cloth is known for being a strong, colorful material for blankets, pillow cases and
The Cordillera Region has their own style and fabric execution in their ikat weaving. 
They use indigenous raw materials from banana, cogon, abaca and maguey and braid 
them with polyester or cotton textile. The yarn Is colored with natural dye from ginger 
or indigo plants, mud, and tree bark.
Sericulture or silkworm culture, the rearing of silkworm for the production of raw silk. 
Is an emerging industry in the Philippines. Bago City in Negros Occidental produces 
some of the best quality silks in the world. Hundreds of farmers from Bago and other 
neighboring towns are supported by this industry. Farmers rear silkv/orm whose 
cocoons are produced into silk yarns which are then used as raw material for Barong 
Tagaiog and other world-class silk products. The Negros silk project is managed by 
the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) - 
International, an NGO founded and based in Japan. There is also the Sericulture 
Research and Development Institute (SRDI) of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial 
State University (DMMMSU).
Mindanao weaving communities include the Mandaya, B'laan, Maranao, Maguindanao, 
Yakan, Bagobo, Tboli, and Tausug. each with weaving traditions ana techniques 
distinct from the next. The Mandaya, which can be found in the provinces of Davao 
Oriental, Davao del Norte, Compostella Valley, Surigao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur, 
have a strong weaving tradition too as seen In their coarsely textured dagmay, hand- 
woven using a special kind of back-strap loom, made from abaca fibers, and following 
Intricate designs.
The B'laan weave the tabih using abaca fibers and the back-strap loom. The fibers are 
dyed using the warp tie-dye resist ikat technique and natural dyes from native plants.


The Maranaw of Lanao del Norte and Lanao Del Sur know a wide range of weaving 
techniques including the weft and warp Ikat tie-dye resist and continuous and 
discontinuous supplementary weft design.
The TBoli of Lake Sebu in Cotabato are well-known for their t'nalak, a distinctive abaca 
cloth that traditionally comes In three colors: deep reddish brown, black, and white. 
The brown and black colors come from naturally occurring dyes, with white being the 
natural color of abaca.
The Bagobo, a subgroup of the Manobo, are expert in extracting the fibers of the 
abaca from the leaf sheaths and selecting the very fine ones for weaving their textiles. 
The Tausug of Jolo in Sulu is an Islamic community structured around a sultanate. 
They used to weave cotton and silk textiles from imported yarns.
Sadly, modern times are threatening to wipe out the things that have made us 
uniquely Filipino. Fiber production in the country which Is principally cotton has 
declined since the early 1990s. The weavers lack the materials to use for their designs 
or they are expensive. The Industry’s downfall may have been largely due to 
uncontrollable forces in the textile industry worldwide — think of the cheap, fast 
fashion sourced in mass-produced fabrics from abroad. We cannot just watch our 
cultural traditions fade. Other production related problems include lack of planting 
materials, (low yield and lack of hectarage) lack of working capital to sustain knotting 
and weaving activities, unstable supply and high price of raw materials and lack of 
market information.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved on 29 May 2013, the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the Rationalization Plan of 
the two (2) attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Fiber 
Industry Development Authority (FIDA) and the Cotton Development Administration 
(CODA). The RDA that was created by EO 709 dated July 27,1981 was mandated to 
promote the growth and development of the Philippine natural fiber, except cotton. 
On the other hand, the CODA that was created under RA 8486 signed on February 11, 
1998 was mandated to undertake init ative that will spur the growth of the local cotton 
industry.
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) is the result of the 
consolidation of FIDA and CODA which is mandated to promote the growth and 
development of the natural fiber industry through research and development; 
production support; extension support, education and training services; fiber 
processing and utilization; and standards implementation and trade regulation. It 
ceased to be a government owned and controlled corporation and was regularized 
under Executive Order No. 494, series of 1981. It is led by an administrator, who is 
assisted by two deputy administrators and supported by nine divisions and ten regional 
offices.


of fiber Srriipectio Service 
ftopt^ic Act Mo S'-.O
Cotion Oovcfopm^n? AcJrrinjstratxon 
BeputJifC Act No &4S6 
FrOMary 1 \ !91»8
PhiKppsrx^ Conor. Corporation 
PfOSKJenttat Decree No 350
Cotton Re*oiKCf> and Development institute 
PresKtonbat Decree No. »432 
Jon© 10.197-8
"-a 
AuteRS
[pfifep ^-Tbef fstdii ' i
The functions of PhilFida are -
1. Formulate and implement integrated programs and policy guidelines for the 
continued development of the fiber industry in consultation with the industry 
stakeholders;
2. Spearhead the harmonization of the programs, projects and activities of all sectors 
Involved in the Philippine natural fiber Industry;
3. Undertake research and development programs in support to production, 
processing and utilization of fibers;
4. Collaborate the formulation and development of standards for various commercial 
fibers that are or may, hereafter, be produced in the Philippines;
5. Regulate the fiber trading in accordance with the law thru licensing and registration 
of fiber trade participants such as traders, exporters, manufacturers and classifiers;
6. Recommend the accreditation of seed growers/nursery operators;
7. Accredit fabricators to manufacture PhilFIDA-designed machinery, tool and 
equipment;
8. Enforce the Philippine National Standards to include fiber classification, grading, 
baling, tagging and marking of Philippine natural fibers; and
9. Undertake skills development trainings and workshops to improve the technical and 
entrepreneurial capabilities of stakeholders.
On the other hand, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Is the premier 
textile research and development arm of the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST). It is mandated by Executive Order No. 128 dated January 30, 1987 to perform 
the following functions, - Conduct applied research and development for the textile 
industry sector; undertake the transfer of completed researches to end-users or via 
linkage units of other government agencies; and undertake technical services and


provide training programs. Most of the technologies can be commercialized through 
on-the-job training and/or seminar/workshops offered by the Institute.
The state of our fiber industry cannot supply the country's local demand. This will 
entail convincing the farmers to plant, giving them a market, and helping them make 
a profit. The promotion of production and planting materials and methods of fiber 
crops is with PhllFIda, while the execution and processing of this plants to threads and 
ultimately cloth In with DOST-PTRI.
The two agencies in charge should together and in comple mentation 
spearhead the revival and promotion of Philippine fiber and in the end the 
Philippine textile industry.
Through the transfer of the developed technologies to end-users in the textile industry 
sector and textile-based cottage, small and medium scale industries, it Is hoped that 
new textile-based industries In the countryside would be developed. With the 
establishment of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC), the 
gap in the region's yam supply will not only be addressed, but more importantly, it 
would help support local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the 
communities that are Involved in manufacturing garments, textile, and other related 
products using natural textile fibers (iMTF). The RYPIC is a micro-scale yarn spinning 
facility that is a spin-off from the Innovation Center for Yam and Textile of DOST- 
PTRI. This facility has the capacity to produce 50 kg of yarns per day using natural 
textile fibers. At this rate, it can generate 270 meters of handloom woven of 40-inch 
width fabrics per day. In a year, it can produce up to 13,200 kg of yarn that could 
make 36,000 meters of 60-inch width fabrics for 24,000 pieces of female blouse or 
18,000 office Barongs.
Aside from yarn production, the RYPIC will also serve as an innovation hub to promote 
textile research and development activities in the region, thus igniting economic 
activity in weaving communities across the country.
According to DOST-PTRI, the goal of ;he RYPIC is to also "jumpstart local ecosystems 
for the textile sector and address the need for the textile industry's supply chain 
activities. The coordination between PhilFida and DOST-PTRI In the transformation 
from raw materials to textiles should happen soon.
Based on the PhilFida Website, the COMPARATIVE PRODUCTION OF TOP PHILIPPINE 
FIBERS, 2021 & 2022 (In metric tons) shows:
FIBER
January
2022
January
2021
Percentage
Increase/(decrease)
Abaca
4,570.98
4,469.38
2.3%
Choir (with Davao 
Region producing 
60%)
1,579.50
1,068.85
47.8%
Raffia
1.287
1.365
(5.7)%


Musa Species
68.250
104.750
(34.8)%
Cotton 
lint
(Sarangani)
18.763
-
-
Canton (Albay)
4.750
9.125
(47.9)%
Pina (Akian)
0.044
2.871
(98.5)%
Buntal
0,001 •
0.360
(99.7)%
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) 
Depari ment of Agriculture 
Approved Organizational Structure
OPHfCK or THft
Rt tjional Officc-s (ROs)
T»chf>ofooy Oiviwor
SEN. CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
'tOfnc ' of' ; ■ t '.:rr
•22 JUL 12 All :05
SENATE
S.NO. 349
R';: 'I F;v
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHILIPPINE FIBER INDUSTRY 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BY STRENGTHENING THE DEPARTMENT OF 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - PHILIPPINE TEXTILE RESEARCH 
INSTITUTE (DOST-PTRI) AND THE PHILIPPINE FIBER DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY (PHILFIDA) BY CREATING THE PHILIPPINE FIBER 
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Fiber Industry
2 
Development Program of 2022."
3 
Sec. 2. Deciaration of Poiicy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
4 
and promote the right of the Filipino people to a better quality of life, improve their
5 
living conditions, through programs that provide sustainable livelihood, increase
6 
employment and protect the environment.
7 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall refer
8 
to:
9 
a) Program - the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Program designed to
10 
promote competitiveness of the local Philippine Fiber Industry worldwide consistent
11 
with the priority placed by Government on developing the agricultural sector as the
12 
cornerstones of the Philippine economy, and cognizant of the potential contribution
13 
of local fiber growing and utilization to the nation, it is hereby declared a policy of
14 
the State to develop the cotton industry in the country to its fullest potential. In this
15 
connection, the State shall safeguard the interest of small farmers.


1 
The State shall provide the necessary support to the local fiber industry development
2 
through appropriate services in production, research, extension and training, financial
3 
assistance and other support services. It shall prescribe and strictly enforce regulations
4 
and quality control standards needed to safeguard local growers.
5 
The State shall fully exploit the industry's potentials to increase the farmers' income,
6 
reduce dependence on imports of fibers and generate foreign exchange revenues.
7 
b) Philippine Fiber Industry Development Council (PRDC) - the council established
8 
herewith.
9 
Sec. 4. Creation of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Coordinating Council
10 
(PFIDCC). - There is hereby created a Philippine Fiber Industry Development
11 
Coordinating Council (PRDCC), hereinafter referred to as the Council, administratively
12 
attached to the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research
13 
Institute, charged with the main function of coordinating the activities of various
14 
agencies and Instrumentalities to ensure the accomplishment of the Philippine Fiber
15 
Framework for Development. The Chairman of the Council shall submit an annual
16 
report to both Houses of Congress on the status of the implementation of this Act.
17 
Sec. 5. Composition, - The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Coordinating Council
18 
shall be composed of the following;
19 
a) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as Chairman (DOST);
20 
b) The Executive Director of Philippine Textile Research Institute as Head of the
21 
Council Secretariat;
22 
c) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural resources (DENR);
23 
d) Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
24 
e) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
25 
f) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
26 
g) Representative from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines;
27 
h) Representative from a League of Provinces;
28 
i) Representative from the State Universities and Colleges with Rber Development
29 
Extension Program;
30 
j) Representative from a reputable Private Fiber Industry Association;
31 
k) Two (2) Representatives from Fiber Farmers / Producers / Processors /Associations;
32 
I) One (1) Representative from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
33 
The council regularly meet every two (2) months and may hold special meetings,
34 
whenever the need arises, to consider urgent matters upon the call of the Chairman
35 
or any seven (7) Council members.


1 
Sec. 6. Institutionalizing the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Program (PFIDP).
2 
- There is hereby established the Philippine Rber Industry Development Program,
3 
within the mandate of the DOST-PTRI, which shall be a ten (10) year framework and
4 
shall serve as guide to the formulation and implementation of plans, projects,
5 
programs and policies for the scientific propagation, processing, utilization and
6 
expansion of trade of Philippine major Fibers. The Framework shall likewise provide
7 
for the following:
8 
a) Site Identification - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in
9 
coordination with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform and
10 
the local government units, shall identify the broad areas suitable for the planning and
11 
propagation of Philippine fibers, within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act.
12 
b) Scientific Propagation and Development-The Department of Environrrient and
13 
Natural Resources and the Department of Science and Technology shall establish
14 
cultivation and propagation of Philippine disease free and disease resistant varieties
15 
of Philippine major fibers. The DOST shall also provide for the transfer and
16 
improvement of appropriate technology and techniques, which will be utilized In the
17 
production, processing, marketing and distribution. Particular emphasis shall also be
18 
made on adoption and upgrading of post-harvest technology;
19 
c) Production Support and Extension - The Department of Environment and Natural
20 
Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and the
21 
Department of Science and Technology in coordination with the local Government
22 
Units, and Non-Governmental Organizations, Technical Education and Skills
23 
Development Authority (TESDA), Cooperative Development Authority/ (CDA), state
24 
universities and colleges (SUCs), and other relevant government agencies, shall
25 
establish programs which promote and provide adequate training on adapting
26 
technology to Individuals engaged in propagation, production, processing, marketing
27 
and distribution of Philippine abaca, strengthen farmers / producers / processors
28 
cooperatives and organizations involved in the sustainable and viable development of
29 
Philippine fibers.
30 
d) Market Promotion and Expansion of Trade - The Department of Trade and Industry,
31 
in coordination with Private Industry Associations, shall link-up agribusiness
32 
cooperatives and organizations directly with consumers cooperatives and
33 
organizations, ago-processing companies, or exporters to provide marketing outlets
34 
and assure relatively higher and stable prices of abaca. This also Includes exploring
35 
national and international markets and facilitating the participation of local farmers,
36 
growers and exporters in local and international conferences, trade fairs, expositions
37 
and exhibit;
38 
e) Infrastructure Development- Access to post harvest facilities, storage and
39 
distribution/transport facilities of existing government agencies shall be facilitated by
40 
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Local Government Units and
41 
the Department of Agriculture.


1 
f) Quality Assurance - To ensure health and proper trading, the Department of trade
2 
and Industry, and Department of Science and technology, respectively, shall establish
3 
and enforce standards in grading, sampling and inspection, tests and analysis,
4 
specifications, nomenclature, units of measurement, packaging, preservation,
5 
conservation or transportation of Philippine fiber products and by22 products and;
6 
g) Philippine Fiber Information Center - The Department of Trade and Industry in
7 
coordination with Local Government Units shall establish a Philippine Fiber Information
8 
Center in areas where they are abundant.
9 
Sec. 7. Philippine Fiber Information Center. - To provide for the funding requirements
10 
for the propagation, production, processing, marketing, promotion and distribution of
11 
Philippine fibers, there is hereby created a Philippine fiber Development Fund (PFDF),
12 
with an initial amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos (PhpSOO,000,000.00) upon the
13 
approval of this Act and every year thereafter, to be provided by the Department of
14 
Budget and Management in the DOST-PTRI’s budget. This is in addition to PTRI's
15 
existing allocation under the General Appropriations Act for the development of other
16 
fibers and its administrative, regulatory and operational expenses.
17 
For the succeeding years, for the next nine (9) years from the approval of this Act, a
18 
minimum amount of not less than Five Hundred Million Pesos (Php5G0,000,000.00)
19 
annually shall be allocated for the development and sustainability of the Philippine
20 
Fiber industry. The requirements of cooperating agencies shall be incorporated in
21 
their respective budget from the General Appropriations fund.
22 
Sec. 8. The Council Secretariat - The Council Secretariat shall be l eaded by the
23 
Director of the PTRI. The Secretariat and technical staff shall be detailed from their
24 
existing personnel without prejudice to the designation by the Council of such
25 
additional staff members as It may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its
26 
function and responsibilities.
27 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine Fiber Industry
28 
Development Coordinating Council shall formulate and prescribe the necessary
29 
implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
30 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act Is declared
31 
unconstitutional or Invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions thereof not
32 
affected thereby shall continue to be In force and effect.
33 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
34 
letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this
35 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
36 
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
37 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
38 
Approved,