The National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Fiber Crops Special Meeting, held online on March 11, 2025, focused on the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)’s FY 2026 Plan and Budget Proposal, which amounts to Php 1.259 billion. The budget prioritizes production support, research and development, and regulatory services to boost fiber production and mechanization. Stakeholders raised concerns about the significant increase in funding compared to previous years, with PhilFIDA officials clarifying that the additional budget is intended to address gaps in mechanization and planting material production. Discussions also covered the allocation of funds across different fiber crops, with 65% of the budget designated for abaca, while the remaining portion supports other fiber crops.
A key topic in the meeting was the commercial testing of BANDALA, an abaca hybrid fiber developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). Stakeholders raised concerns regarding the project’s objectives, fiber grading, and the availability of raw materials for testing. Additionally, some members expressed hesitation over the use of the term “bandala,” which traditionally refers to true abaca, arguing that it could cause confusion among farmers and industry players. Despite these concerns, the committee agreed to proceed with the testing, provided that clear monitoring and evaluation protocols are established.
The meeting also tackled challenges in fiber production, particularly the need for disease control, enhanced drying facilities, and retraining of inspectors for proper fiber grading. Concerns over the uprooting of Daratex plants, issues of cross-pollination with true abaca, and the expansion of production areas were discussed. PhilFIDA officials assured the body that they are taking steps to address these issues, including plans to visit key production areas like Bicol and Davao for further assessment. Additionally, the request for a diagnostic laboratory in Mindanao to support disease indexing was raised. However, PhilFIDA clarified that while a new facility is not currently budgeted, existing diagnostic services and detection kits are being distributed to farmer organizations.
The discussion concluded with an agreement that the committee will support the PhilFIDA FY 2026 Plan and Budget Proposal, contingent on the agency presenting a more comprehensive and detailed response to the committee’s feedback. The detailed budgetary requirements will be submitted to PCAF for distribution to the Committee members. The Committee also recommended the inclusion of NSC members in the monitoring team for the abaca hybrid evaluation project.
Moving forward, PhilFIDA remains focused on its 2028 targets, which include doubling farmers’ incomes, increasing fiber production by at least 30%, enhancing mechanization, and strengthening market linkages. Stakeholders emphasized the need for continued collaboration to ensure the sustainable growth of the fiber industry and the success of the abaca hybrid initiative. | Bernard Masa
