TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 799
of till i'/I'Up
25 AUG-4 P1 :18
RIXEIVtaSr-
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE 
PHILIPPINE HANDLOOM WEAVING INDUSTRY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Handloom weaving is a vital expression of Filipino culture, with each weave 
embodying the vibrant heritage and identity of our people. Once considered a dying 
industry, handloom weaving has struggled to survive in the face of modernization and 
shifting economic landscapes.
Based on the statement of Director Julius Leaho of the Department of Science 
and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) dated June 23, 
2025, the handloom weaving sector in the Philippines comprises an estimated 5,271 
weavers across 481 weaving communities nationwide. These artisans are the stewards 
of centuries-old practices, producing fabrics such as Pifia, Hablon, T'nalak, and Inabel. 
Their skill and resilience keep these traditions alive
The industry remains vulnerable to a range of long-standing and emerging 
challenges: globalization, rising cost of raw materials, limited access to markets, low 
product diversification, fragmented artisan networks, and inadequate government 
support. The situation is further compounded by the proliferation of counterfeit 
handwoven products, which threaten the economic security of weavers and the 
authenticity of indigenous craftsmanship.


In a major cultural milestone, Akian pina handloom weaving was inscribed in 
December 2023 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 
of Humanity. This international recognition highlights the value and the urgency of 
protecting and investing in our handloom weaving heritage.
The Philippine Handloom Weaving Industry Development Act aims to address 
these gaps through a holistic and sustainable approach. It seeks to revive the 
handloom weaving industry, uplift the livelihoods of weavers, and position local 
textiles competitively in both domestic and international markets. The bill proposes 
the development of a clear policy framework and national roadmap to harmonize the 
efforts of various government agencies, optimize resource utilization, and strengthen 
the handloom value chain from raw materials to finished goods.
This measure proposes the establishment of a dedicated body that will serve 
as the central mechanism to study, develop, and empower the sector. The National 
Handloom Weaving Council will be composed of representatives from the DOST PTRI, 
Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of the DOST (DOST-GTIDO), 
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of Agriculture (DA- 
PhilFIDA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the National Commission for Culture 
and the Arts (NCCA). The Council shall formulate the National Handloom Weaving 
Industry Development Policy, which will include strategic plans to support research 
and innovation, capacity building, access to markets, IP protection, and the promotion 
of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles.
The handloom weaving industry requires genuine, coordinated efforts from 
both economic and cultural sectors. With adequate government support and the active 
involvement of stakeholders, this measure aims to preserve a cultural legacy, as well 
as to create lasting, dignified livelihoods for Filipino weavers.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
NLEGARDA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 799
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25 AUG-4 PI :18
RliCElVEOBV
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE 
PHILIPPINE HANDLOOM WEAVING INDUSTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Handbom
2 
Weaving Industry Development Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism
4 
and nationalism among the people, especially in the education system, who shall at
5 
all times be loyal to the Republic and the Filipino people, promote the preferential use
6 
of locally manufactured goods that utilize local resources and technologies, celebrate
7 
the culture and heritage of the country through the adoption of measures to elevate
8 
its value and prestige and thus generate wider employment and inclusive greater
9 
growth for the country by preserving and nurturing handloom weaving activities, thus
10 
in turn and nurtures the textile culture and heritage of our people.
11 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
12 
hereby defined as follows:
13 
a. Handbom - refers to a device used in weaving fabrics by holding the
14 
warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft
15 
threads;
16 
b. Handbom-woven fabric- refers to fabric woven using a handloom;


1 
c. Handloom weaving industry - composed of the interrelated and
2 
interconnected component supply chain realizing the production of
3 
textiles through the handloom; and
4 
d. Neo-ethnic Philippines textiles- refers to textiles made of or containing
5 
natural or indigenous materials, sourced and/or produced in the
6 
Philippines using updated, relevant, and green scientific and
7 
technological approaches and innovations; while integrating and/or
8 
retaining traditional patterns, designs, icons, motifs and/or
9 
approaches, and thus, contribute to livelihood generation and in
10 
sustaining the local handloom weaving and textile heritage.
11 
Sec. 4. Establishment of the National Handloom Weaving Development Council.
12 
- The National Handloom Weaving Development Council shall be composed of the
13 
following:
14 
a. Head of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of
15 
Science and Technology as Chair of the Council;
16 
b. Head of the Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of the
17 
Department of Trade and Industry as Co-Chair;
18 
c. Head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as Member;
19 
d. Head of the National Commission on Indigenous People as Member;
20 
e. Head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,
21 
Office of the President as Member;
22 
f. Head of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the
23 
Department of Agriculture as Member; and
24 
g. Representative of the handloom weaving industry association as
25 
Member.
26 
The Council shall have, but not limited to, the following functions:
27 
1. Formulate, implement, and monitor the measures to enable the National
28 
Handloom Weaving Industry Development Policy;
29 
2. Prepare and submit an annual report on the implementation of this Act,
30 
including industry performance, program accomplishments, financial
31 
utilization, and policy recommendations;


1 
3. Conduct a comprehensive review and updating of the National Handloom
2 
Weaving Industry Roadmap every three (3) years to ensure alignment
3 
with current trends, market demands, and community needs;
4 
Sec. 5. The National Handloom Weaving Industry Development Policy. - The
5 
Council shall formulate, one (1) year after it is created, the National Handloom
6 
Weaving Industry Development Policy. This shall include, but not limited to, the
7 
following:
8 
a. Formulation of the Handloom Weaving Industry Roadmap;
9 
b. Mapping of weaving communities and their resource/market needs;
10 
c. Innovations in handloom design and engineering;
11 
d. Technical support mechanism for sustainable handloom 
weaving
12 
activities;
13 
e. Development and promotion of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles;
14 
f. Development of Philippine Standards for Handloom Woven Textiles;
15 
g. Safeguarding and protection of authentic handloom woven textiles
16 
h. Intellectual property protection framework for textiles;
17 
i. Development of Textile-related Technical and Skills and Vocational
18 
Education and Training; and
19 
j. Inclusion of climate resilience and disaster risk measures, especially for
20 
vulnerable artisan areas
21 
Sec. 6. Local Government Participation. Local government units (LGUs) are
22 
hereby encouraged to support the growth and sustainability of local handloom
23 
weaving industries within their respective jurisdictions by:
24 
a. Enacting local ordinances and resolutions that recognize and promote
25 
the handloom weaving heritage of their communities, if any;
26 
b. Providing support services for weaving communities and cooperatives;
27 
and
28 
c. Prioritizing the procurement and use of locally handwoven fabrics for
29 
official uniforms, decorations, cultural events, and other appropriate
30 
applications, in accordance with applicable procurement laws.


1 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary to implement the provisions
2 
of this Act shall be appropriated as a distinct and separate item in consultation with
3 
the Department of Budget and Management.
4 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
5 
effectivity of this Act, the Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the
6 
Department of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Garment and Textile
7 
Industry Development Office of the Department of Trade and Industry, the National
8 
Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Technical Education and Skills Development
9 
Authority, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of
10 
Agriculture, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
11 
The IRR shall be formulated through consultations with key stakeholders,
12 
including but not limited to handloom weavers and weaving cooperatives, local
13 
government units (LGUs), and relevant non-government organizations (NGOs), to
14 
ensure that the policies and programs are responsive, inclusive, and community-
15 
driven.
16 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or
17 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
18 
remain valid and subsisting.
19 
Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
20 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary
21 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
22 
amended accordingly.
23 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,