The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has funded a project seeking the establishment of a pineapple fiber treatment center in Ormoc City in Leyte.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña announced that the Pineapple Fiber Treatment Technology Center will soon rise in Ormoc City in a bid to further strengthen the country’s pineapple fiber industry. He said the DOST has earmarked P880,000 for the setting up of the facility and for the implementation of science and technology (S&T) initiatives in the area.
“The DOST-VIII, through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, is allocating 880,000 to establish the Pineapple Fiber Treatment Technology Center and provision of other S&T (science and technology) interventions in education for the community,” he said in a report.
He said part of the agency’s assistance package is the purchase of the fiber processing equipment called pineapple fiber treatment recirculating degumming vessel.
“To further enhance value-adding initiatives for the pineapple fiber industry, the DOST VIII will be providing assistance for the adoption in Ormoc City, Leyte of the pineapple fiber degumming technology developed by the DOST-Philippine Textile Research and Development Institute (PTRI),” de la Peña said.
He noted that a series of technology transfer discussions and coordinating activities have already been conducted among representatives from DOST VIII, DOST-PTRI, LGU Ormoc – City Agriculture Office (CAO), and the beneficiary group, Self-Help Association for Rights and Empowerment (SHARE).