To promote bamboo as an emerging environmental resource in creating more "sustainable and innovative" textiles, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) on Thursday, Sept. 21, spearheaded the "Kawayarn: The Bamboo Textiles PH Launch."

DOST Assistant Secretary Napoleon Juanillo Jr. emphasized the versatile usage of bamboo which has extended from structural and construction purposes to materials, food, and now textiles.

"We acknowledge its (bamboo) potential and consider it as one of the priority raw materials that strums the chords for the four strategic thrusts of the DOST, namely wealth creation, wealth protection, promotion of human well-being and sustainability," Juanillo said on behalf of DOST Secretary, Renato U. Solidum Jr.

With the theme, "Fashioning Bamboo towards an Innovative, Creative Circular, and Inclusive Textile Economy," the event kicked off in The Manila Hotel, Ermita Manila.

In line with 2023 Philippine Bamboo Month, the occasion aimed to establish Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs (BTFIH) to expand the use of bamboo in the textile industry.

Higher textile fiber recovery

During the event, DOST explained that the Bamboo Textile Fiber (BTF) has a higher fiber recovery at 35 percent. This means that BTF is significantly better than typical sources like abaca, banana, and pineapple leaf which were less than two percent.

"Bambusa philippinensis or Laak and Bambusa spinosa or Bayog have also shown interesting textile fiber properties," Juanillo said.

He added that BTF is “already a product, not to mention the now locally-developed machines that are used to convert these into textile fibers.”

Moreover, Juanillo explained that the use of BTF is also "gaining ground" following the recently launched revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act (RA) 9242, also known as the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, which raised the demand for textile fibers at 1,274 tonnes annually.

"This will provide the requirement for more than 1.8 million government employees uniforms for just one day," he said.

"While we work towards the full implementation of the law, I encourage your participation in the attainment of the related State Policy- to instill patriotism and nationalism among the people, especially public officials, and employees, who shall at all times be loyal to the Republic and the Filipino people, promote the preferential use of locally manufactured goods that utilize local resources, adopt measures that help make them competitive and thus generate wider employment and greater benefits to the country," he added.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/09/12/csc-launches-implementation-of-ph-tropical-fabric-law-for-gov-t-personnel-uniforms

More support for BTF

The agency, through its attached councils, has already allocated more than P75 million for the development of the bamboo textile fiber industries in the Regions through S&T since 2021.

It involves the establishment of three Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs (BTFIH) in Naguillan, La Union, Maragondon, Cavite, and Cauayan City, Isabela. Additionally, three more hubs are scheduled to be launched within the current year and the following year, located in Lagangilang, Abra, Maramag, Bukidnon, and Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Furthermore, the said hub can provide a livelihood for up to 20 families in a full-time capacity and a gross income of up to P250,000 per month or up to P3 million per year.

"The six hubs that the DOST was able to establish are already estimated to be an 18 Million pesos per annum industry, and together with the shared commitments of our partners on the ground- government and non-government, alike we will be one in bringing to fruition the promises of this technology at the earliest possible time," Juanillo said.

Juanillo also conveyed his warmest congratulations to the Bamboo Textiles Philippines.

"The support of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources R&D, the DOST-PTRI family for developing in such a short period of time, bamboo textile fibers (BTF), and a myriad of exciting applications for what PTRI refers to as 'wearables and beyond," he stated.

Meanwhile, senators such as Loren Legarda, Cynthia A. Villar, Sonny Angara, Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa, Jinggoy Estrada, and Sherwin Gatchalian expressed their unwavering support for the DOST initiative through their messages during the event.