The Philippine government is set to require a substantial amount of banana and pineapple fibers annually to meet the uniform needs of its state workers. The Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) estimates a need of approximately 1 million kilograms per year, highlighting the government's commitment to utilizing locally sourced and sustainable materials.
The Philippine government is expected to require approximately 1 million kilograms of banana and pineapple fibers annually to meet the uniform needs of its 1.9 million state workers, according to the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI). PTRI supervising researcher Jenneli Caya stated that while the Department of Science and Technology agency doesn't directly purchase large quantities of fibers, it plays a crucial role in determining the necessary amounts for government requirements.
'To supply uniforms for 1.9 million government employees, we need around 482,000 kilograms of pineapple fiber and 640,000 kilograms of banana fiber,' Caya explained. 'These requirements are substantial, especially considering that the fibers must originate from local sources.'PTRI director Julius Leaño further clarified that the institute prioritizes certain fibers based on the fabric needs for production. 'We base it on the fabric requirements we need to produce,' Leaño stated. 'Technically, we are working heavily on bamboo and pineapple fibers, and less on banana and abaca.'Caya indicated that approximately 320 hectares of pineapple plantations and 100 hectares of banana plantations would be sufficient to address the growing demand for natural fibers used in government uniforms. 'This is the requirement for one set of uniforms, which is needed for just one day’s use. Multiply that by the four days a week that government employees are working, and you can see how substantial the demand is for fibers like pineapple, banana, and abaca.' Under the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, the government is obligated to utilize domestically produced fabrics for official uniforms and other applications within government offices and functions. Last year, the Philippine Army entered into a memorandum of understanding with PTRI to collaborate on developing locally sourced fabric for military uniforms. Leaño acknowledged that despite challenges such as climate change and natural disasters, the local textile industry is gaining momentum as consumers and manufacturers increasingly favor eco-friendly options. 'The demand is there, and it’s growing,' Leaño remarked. 'Local manufacturers, especially those producing government uniforms, are looking for sustainable, locally made fabrics.' 'It’s not just about looking good. It’s about supporting our farmers, our culture, and the environment. People want to wear something that benefits the country.'Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that the Philippine economy expanded by only 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily due to extreme weather events that disrupted the agriculture sector and other industries. PSA also reported a 3.1 percent decline in crop production, valued at P281.55 billion in constant 2018 prices. Pineapple, banana, and abaca experienced decreases of 1.1 percent, 5.8 percent, and 0.2 percent, respectively.
Philippine Government Textile Industry Sustainable Fabrics Natural Fibers Pineapple Banana Uniform Requirements
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