This is a major step in advancing sustainable textiles and local livelihoods.
Last April 16, the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) officially launched the third Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) at the Laguna University in Sta Cruz, Laguna.
The facility aims to transform the agricultural by-products such as abaca, banana, and pineapple fibers into high-value textile products and it can process a maximum of 40 kilograms of natural fibers for yarn production in the area.
All these while integrating local communities into the value chain, as it is expected to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and generate jobs among local farmers and weavers, and strengthen the country’s sustainable textile industry by linking research, innovation, and community-based production.
“That is exactly the point of why we are here. We are trying to extend the supply and value chain such that we do not just export raw materials, we export higher-value products,” DOST-PTRI Director Julius Leaño underscored.
He added, “So, ang mga materyales po natin, hindi lumalabas na ang presyo ay halos kalahating dolyar na kada kilo, but instead we convert them into materials that are of higher value, of higher impact, to both commerce, trade, and of course, sustainability in human consumption.”
Leaño also highlighted Laguna’s strategic advantage in terms of sustainability and logistics. “When we made a new run of the analysis of the fibers, ang number one selling point ng fiber from Laguna ay hindi po quality ng hibla; it is the carbon footprint. Dahil napakalapit po n’ya sa Metro Manila.
“And if you compute the carbon footprint of the fiber that will come from Mindanao, compared to the fiber that will come from the nearby provinces in CALABARZON, mataas ang advantage niya sa carbon footprint,” he furthered.
For his part, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the importance of innovation that delivers real impact, “But beyond strategies and frameworks, what matters most is impact. And so, we ensure that the technologies we develop create quality jobs.“
“The establishment of NTFIH Laguna is going to serve a catalytic purpose in integrating small players within the regional textile value chain. It will provide a business model for investors who can replicate and expand its current capacities and is positioned as an innovation hub where knowledge in textile materials and engineering can continue to grow,” Solidum also said.
Solidum earlier encouraged communities to see value in waste materials, “Kapag may nakita tayong waste, huwag agad isipin na patapon na. Isipin natin: pera ’yan… puwedeng-puwede pang pagkakitaan o gawing bagong produkto.”
Further, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Maborrang echoed these sentiments.
“Hindi lamang po kami nag-i-establish ng mga innovation hubs and facilities, but we are also looking into sino [ho] ba ang magbe-benepisyo ng ating mga ginagawa… Ito po ay magtatangkang mag-create ng livelihood, and eventually mag-create ng employment, mag-create po ng mga world-class textiles and probably uniforms in the near future, such as dresses and wardrobes that will be used by Filipinos.”
The provincial government of Laguna, meanwhile, also committed to pushing collaborations with academic institutions such as the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Laguna University to use locally sourced textile fibers to produce university sablay (academic sash).
Moreover, during the facility tour, it was revealed that water hyacinths from Laguna de Bay are currently undergoing testing for yarn production, with promising results emerging so far.