CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) conducted the 5th Philippine Silk Summit in Cagayan de Oro City, marking the event's inaugural departure from Metro Manila. 

Themed "Spinning Innovations for Philippine Silk," the summit served as a nexus for key stakeholders in the silk value chain. It aimed to bring stakeholders together in a shared effort to foster the sustainability of the Philippine silk sector.

The summit delved into the SEDA Pilipinas Roadmap and the present state of the Philippine silk industry, addressing initiatives for mulberry plantations, silk cocoon production, and product development to lay the foundation for sustainable growth. It also showcased the SEDA Pilipinas Exhibition, spotlighting the skills of local weavers crucial to the silk value chain.

Julius Leaño Jr., director of PTRI, reported that the municipality of Villanueva in Misamis Oriental now houses the largest silkworm germplasm in the country. It has the capacity to produce 1,000 boxes of hybrid eggs per year, supporting farmers nationwide.

Silkworm feeds on mulberry leaves, and in the country, there are only 39 hectares of active mulberry plantations, of which 10 hectares are in Apayao, 10 hectares in Kalinga, five hectares in Benguet, one hectare each in Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Davao del Norte, 0.75 hectares in Bukidnon, and 10.48 hectares in Misamis Oriental.

“We have two hybrid silkworm egg centers, and our partners and stakeholders have established 43 rearing structures. It currently accounts for about 105 silkworm producers," he said.

Leaño is hopeful that the exchange of experiences during the summit will help spur the silk industry and advance the welfare of farmers and weavers.

"At the heart of the conversation are not just our designers, the creative industry, or the academy; more importantly, this is about the stories of our communities. Because the aim and the goal are not only to produce silk but also to be able to touch lives," he said.

The summit also facilitated significant partnerships through the ceremonial exchange of  a Memorandum of Agreement between DOST-PTRI and key public and private organizations such as the Department of Tourism-10 and OISCA Bago Training. (APB/PIA-10)