MANILA, (PIA) — The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (Phil FIDA) on Monday emphasized the urgent need for mechanization in the fiber industry to streamline production processes, particularly for abaca and piña fibers.
“Para malaman ninyo, ang tela ng piña na ginagamit sa paggawa ng barong ay inaabot ng isang buwan para makumpleto. Ang proseso ng pagbubuhol ng hibla ay ginagawa nang mano-mano, at kahit na maraming piña ang available, kakaunti lamang ang nagagawang produkto. Kailangan nating makahanap ng paraan upang ma-mechanize ang proseso ng pagbubuhol,” said Phil FIDA Executive Director Arnold Ali Antienza during Monday’s weekly Impormasyon at Aksyon teleradyo program presented by the Philippine Information Agency.
(Translation: To give you an idea, the piña fabric used to make the barong takes about a month to complete. The process of bundling the fibers is done by hand, and even though there are many piña plants available, only a limited number of products can be made. We need to find a way to mechanize the bundling process.)
“Mabilis ang pag-scrape ng hibla, at sa isang araw, makakakuha ka ng maraming hibla. Pero ang pagdugtong-dugtong ng lahat ng hibla ay napakatagal. Kaya kung napapansin ninyo, ang barong na gawa sa piña ay inaabot ng isang buwan upang magawa,” he added, discussing vital agency initiatives and benefits in celebration of Arts Month in February.
(Translation: Scraping the fibers is quick, and you can gather a lot in a day, but putting all the fibers together takes a long time. So, if you notice, a barong made from piña takes about a month to produce.)
Atienza addressed the challenges faced by farmers, who often rely on labor-intensive methods that can take up to a month to produce traditional garments like the barong.
“We must find ways to mechanize even the basic processes to increase efficiency and output,” he said.
The Executive Director also highlighted the “Adapt a Farm” program, which aims to engage the private sector in supporting local farmers.
Atienza urged businesses to collaborate with farmers to provide necessary machinery and resources, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality fibers.
“The private sector can play a crucial role in helping farmers enhance their production capabilities and connect them directly to industries that utilize their products,” he added.
As the dry season approaches, he reassured that abaca is resilient and can thrive with minimal maintenance.
However, he stressed that without adequate support and mechanization, farmers’ incomes will remain low.
Antienza’s call to action for the private sector to invest in local agriculture highlights the importance of fostering a sustainable fiber industry in the Philippines. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
