DA convenes 2nd National Banner Program Committee Meeting on High-Value Crops
Recommends development of the Philippine Fiber Industry

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-National Banner Program Committee on High-Value Crops (Fiber Crops) recently conducted its Second Quarter Meeting and one of the recommendations discussed was the development and promotion of the Philippine fiber industry.

The NBPC Committee, which is composed of organizations from the public and private sectors including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), also discussed the status of the various HVC resolutions (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, Series 2022) and pending legislation on Fiber Crops, as well as the Abaca Tuxy Buying Special Project.

Michael Claparols of the NBPC said that the BSP, in a special meeting, proposed the creation of a technical working group (TWG) that would work for the development of the fiber industry and other related activities that include, among others, the conduct of a series of dialogues to discuss the importance of heritage and cultural aspects in using the abaca and other fiber crops,  engage the private sector to help advocate with Congress for a bigger budget to develop and improve the industry while increasing the incomes of the abaca farmers; and, tap the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for research and development projects specifically on market opportunities. 

Pablo Castro of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) presented the agency’s action plan for the abaca industry. He said that, in 2019, the DILG, through Secretary Eduardo Ano, signed a Memorandum Circular directing all Provincial Governors, City Mayors, Municipal Mayors, BARMM Chief Ministry, Directors of Region 3, 4A to R9, ARMM, and CAR for the “Issuance of Local Ordinances Banning the Illegal Harvesting, Buying, Selling and Mutilating of Young Leaf sheaths of Abaca Plants.”

However, the committee noted that the problem with most of the policies is their implementation. Castro proposed to have an intensive information campaign on social media and other media platforms on certain abaca-related policies and projects.

The Committee also suggested recommending to the Department of Agriculture, through PCAF, the creation of a Task Force (TF) for the monitoring of abaca-related malpractices. Its composition should include PhilFIDA, DILG, and NBPC on HVC-Fiber Crops as members.

Moreover, it would also like to prioritize the Supplemental Budget Proposal Preparation for the Consideration of LGUs to Support and Strengthen the Local Fiber Production and Extensions; review the production and distribution target on the use of Trichogramma Strips as Biological Agents for Pest Control in Cotton Production; and, the institutionalization of an Abaca Model Farm focusing mainly on Abaca Production.

The Committee likewise noted the need to conduct a review of the budget for LGU-led Basic Handloom Weaving Training as other agencies such as DSWD, DTI, PhilFIDA have the same program and for these agencies to collaborate for better maximization of the budget allocation; hence, rationalization of relevant functions to determine the lead agency is recommended. 

Furthermore, the Committee is also looking at re-filing certain legislative measures pending in Congress, one of which is the R.A. 11700 or An Act Declaring the Province of Catanduanes as Abaca Capital of the Philippines as it does not have budget provision. --- Ma. Joanna Paula L. Pascual

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