The agency aims to do it by expanding textile science education.
At the launch of TELAkademi and the Philippine Textile Consortium during the first-ever joint Global Textile Congress (GTC) and Philippine Textile Congress (PTC) 2026, the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) bared its strategy to improve the local textile industry.
Aiming to capture a greater share of the surging US$1.2-trillion global textile market and the global textile trade is projected to expand by 4.2% annually through 2033, the agency is looking to mobilize 1,765 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide to help rebuild the Philippine textile industry.
This presents a prime opportunity for the Philippines to reverse recent declines in apparel exports and shift from raw-material imports to an integrated domestic supply chain.
The recent two-day gathering, which was held at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City brought together academic institutions, state universities and colleges, training centers, government agencies, and allied industries to align research, education, and industry growth.
In his keynote message, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development Executive Director Dr. Julius Leaño Jr. called for a united effort to strengthen the Philippine textile industry.
“Our competitive advantage is not only in the natural resources that we have, but also in our ingenuity and capacity to look beyond our adversities. If we come together, align our aspirations, and rally behind a common cause, we can give the Philippine textile industry a very different future,” he said.
A nationwide review by DOST-PTRI found that 1,765 colleges and universities teach skills directly tied to the textile supply chain, but no HEI is currently offering a curriculum solely dedicated to textile science.
Among the identified institutions, 71 offer programs in textile raw materials, 646 cover product development from apparel to medical and e-textiles, and 1,048 support supply chain systems such as fiber cultivation, machinery, and logistics.
Related competencies also remain dispersed across degree programs in chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, fine arts and design, and industrial technology, leaving the sector without a standardized national academic framework.
“Textiles are part of our everyday lives, yet textile science is not always given enough attention in our classrooms,” said Evangeline Flor Manalang, Officer-in-Charge of DOST-PTRI, in a statement.
“Through its partnership with the academe, DOST-PTRI hopes to help develop a standard textile curriculum that will introduce students to the science, technology, and possibilities behind Philippine textiles.”
To address this gap, the Philippine Textile Consortium was established to formalize DOST-PTRI’s partnerships with HEIs, with nearly 60 schools expected to join.
The consortium aims to support a standard curriculum, joint research, laboratory linkages, technical assistance, degree programs, short courses, hands-on training, and research opportunities for faculty and students.
For his part, Atty. Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman, noted: “When we gather in a university space to talk about textiles, we are not simply discussing fabric, garments, or traditional crafts. We are discussing the convergence of scientific inquiry, cultural heritage, technological innovation, and human capacity development.”
“Building a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive textile industry requires us to bring together our strengths in education, research and development, and industry,” he also noted.
Alongside the consortium, DOST-PTRI launched TELAkademi designed to encourage knowledge-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. It will provide a platform to discuss developments in materials science, textile engineering, production technologies, and innovation.
DOST-PTRI’s academic development roadmap covers courses and university partnerships in textile materials (2025), textile chemistry, dyes and colorants (2026), nonwoven textiles and textile and fabric design (2027), and textile analyses (2028).
The institute also provides thesis co-advising, joint research assistance worth up to PHP 200,000 for graduate students, laboratory services, and a mobile textile laboratory to support academic research and technical training.
Meanwhile, the initiative also seeks to expand the use of local agricultural materials in developing sustainable, value-added textile products and introduce textile education in classrooms to encourage young people to support Telang Pinoy and recognize the contributions of farmers, weavers, and other industry practitioners.
The GTC and PTC 2026 also featured a TELAkademi Fair, a Stakeholders’ Networking Night, and the Philippine Textile Consortium General Assembly.
Through these initiatives, DOST-PTRI aims to strengthen connections among education, research, and industry and help develop the next generation of Filipino textile professionals.
