Apayao strengthens textile industry thru first-ever fiber innovation hub

Apayao, Philippines – The first-ever Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub in Apayao is showing potential to contribute to the textile industry as it starts to operate, generating 17 kilos of open fibers extracted from bamboo, pineapple leaf, and banana plant, as of September 2023, the Provincial Science and Technology Office - Apayao (PSTO-Apayao) reported.

The hub, which is located in San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao, is aligned with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) program 12 TELA: "Integrated Community-scale Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs in Northern Luzon."

The program’s goals include meeting the Regional Yarn Production Innovation Center's (RYPIC) treated fiber requirements, improving the supply chain for natural textile fibers, and fostering an interconnected local textile ecology.

Furthermore, the project ensures that the Northern Luzon Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) will have a steady supply of NTFs that are strategically linked to communities.

Said center works closely with agricultural agencies and communities, as well as educational institutions such as Isabela State University and Apayao State College, to promote research and development initiatives that ensure continuous industry innovation and maximize facility operation and utilization.

“The establishment of said project was funded through the DOST-Grant In Aid program (DOST-GIA), and it was carried out through the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI). Additionally, Apayao Lone District Representative Eleanor Bulut-Begtang's office has contributed an initial P100,000 cash for its operations," related PSTO Science Research Specialist II Jovelyn R. Siena.

Given Apayao's geographical location and climate conditions, as well as its extensive propagation of bamboo, pineapple, and banana plants, the DOST believes it has a high potential yield for fibers as a raw material for textile manufacturing.

According to PSTO, the project timeframe for this unique endeavor is one year, after which the whole operation will be passed to ASC.

"After going through phase 1 extraction and processing in Apayao, the open fibers will be transported to Isabela to go through phase 2 processing," Project Assistant Christina Aguda explained.

The DOST-PCIEERD (Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development) is monitoring the fiber extraction in the hub through the Apayao Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO).

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