LAGANGILANG, Abra, (PIA) -- Bamboo farmers in Abra get a boost with the opening of the Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) at the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST) main campus in Lagangilang. 

Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) director Julius L. Leaño Jr. and ASIST president Gregorio T. Turqueza led the hub’s launch that was witnessed by bamboo farmers from different municipalities of Abra, officials and representatives from the local government of Lagangilang, provincial government, and national government agencies.

PTRI is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

The facility is equipped with a bamboo slating machine, bamboo fiber extraction machine, and degumming machine. PTRI and ASIST are working on the procurement of a fiber spinning machine to complete the bamboo textile processing technology to produce natural bamboo textile fibers. 

Leaño said that behind the innovative science, the most important aspect is its benefit to the farmers, especially that bamboo is a vast natural resource in Abra.

“The most gratifying part of this project is when our farmers are able to derive additional income from this technology. If  it cannot, what good is this science for?” Leaño said.

Turqueza said this partnership project with the DOST- PTRI demonstrates the important role of state universities and colleges in nation building by actively participating in the delivery of useful applications of innovation that will bring impact to the community. 

With this BTFIH, which is the first in the Cordillera region, Abra farmers look forward to an increase in the value of the bamboo poles after it gets processed into textile fibers.

A bamboo pole costs around P200. A kilo of extracted bamboo fiber costs P250. Through the bamboo textile processing technology, around 10 kilos of fiber can be extracted per bamboo pole. This added value will be a huge additional income for the bamboo farmers. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)