Philippines has enough natural fibers for textile growth—DA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines already has the raw materials and market demand needed to grow its textile industry, but developing its processing capacity remains crucial to turning these resources into higher-value products, according to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) fiber industry chief.

DA-Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (DA-PhilFIDA) Executive Director Arnold “Ali” Atienza said the country has sufficient natural fiber resources, as well as local and international markets, but needs to expand its processing capacity.

“We have more than enough raw materials in the Philippines. We have more than enough demand, both local and global. But what we need in the country is processing,” Atienza said during the first Global Textile Congress and 2026 Philippine Textile Congress held last week.

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For Atienza, developing the industry also means ensuring that farmers producing abaca and other natural fibers benefit as the sector expands.

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“There is demand, there are raw materials. But again, we cannot work separately. We need to work together,” he said in Filipino.

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He pointed to the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Law as an existing source of demand for locally made tropical fabrics, particularly through the requirement to use Philippine tropical fabrics in government uniforms.

Atienza said, however, that the industry needs more participants capable of producing goods that can meet this demand.

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He also called for stronger cooperation between government research institutions and private companies, particularly in bringing technologies developed through public research into commercial use.

Government, industry partnership

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) has been working on technologies and industry partnerships aimed at developing Philippine natural fibers for higher-value textile applications.

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DOST-PTRI Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr. said developing the sector would require agencies and industries to combine their expertise and resources.

“No single government agency can grow the textile industry on its own. We need to bring together our different mandates, expertise, and resources, from fiber production and research to processing and market development,” Leaño said.

“When government works together, we create a stronger pathway for our farmers and industries to turn Philippine fibers into products and opportunities,” he added.

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Atienza also urged private companies to participate more actively in the effort, citing the existing partnership between DA-PhilFIDA and DOST-PTRI.

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“DOST-PTRI, through Director Julius Leaño Jr., [and] DA-PhilFIDA are partners, and I hope the private sector becomes our partner also,” Atienza said.