New law to trigger development of tropical fabrics sector

It is but a matter of time before a Philippine tropical fabrics (PTF) industry will evolve.

This optimistic projection is borne by a new law, Republic Act 9242, otherwise known as "An act prescribing the use of Philippine tropical fabrics for uniform of public officials and employees and for other purposes."

Philippine tropical fabrics, as defined, are those containing fibers from plants and animals grown, spun, and woven I the country. It includes fibers of abaca, pineapple, and banana.

Actually, explained the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), the fibers of these crops can be extracted, degummed, spun, and woven as inputs to the textile industry to create indigenous fabrics.

The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 9242 have been sent out to all government offices by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Under Rule IV Section 1 of the IRR, PTRI shall develop and issue guidelines for securing certification and other necessary forms, which shall form an integral part of the rules.

Section 2 also requires PTRI to conduct tests on fabric composition and other properties to determine whether the fabric meets the minimum standard requirements for uniform and other purposes (that all fabrics shall contain at least five percent by weight of either abaca, banana, or pineapple fibers and 15 percent by weight of silk) and shall issue the appropriate certification or exemption.

The first to comply with RA 9242 were the DOST and its agencies.

The Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga, Aklan, is the first state tertiary institute to use PTF uniforms.

There are at present about 1.4 million civil servants in the country today who will provide the much-needed demand that can stimulate investments and activity in the textile industry.

Dr. Carlos Tomboc, PTRI director, told this writer that some initial sources of the fibers to be procured for the government uniforms have been identified.

Pineapple fibers, for instance, will be sourced from South Cotabato and Camarines Norte. Banana fibers will be obtained from Maguindanao. Abaca fibers can be easily sourced from abaca-producing regions, notably Bicol and Eastern Visayas (particularly Leyte).

About half a million hectares are planted to abaca, banana, and pineapple in at least nine provinces (Isabela, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Camarines Norte, Iloilo, Leyte, Bukidnon, and South Cotabato).

PTRI has already issued the guidelines that cover all textile producers, fabric suppliers, and garment manufacturers who want to bid for the uniform of public officials and employees are provided for by RA 9242.

Moreover, it has prepared and approved the performance specification for career dress apparel.

The standard was submitted to the Bureau of Products Standard (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for adoption as Philippine National Standard. Embodied in the PTRI standard are the specification requirements for woven PTF for career dress apparel.’

Exemptions are firemen’s and sports uniforms and bulletproof vests, and others if the tropical fabrics’ properties and standards do not meet the uniforms’ requirements.

Also under RA 9242, the Department of Agriculture-Fiber Industry Development Agency (DA-FIDA) issues the certificate of origin for silk.

The Civil Service Commission monitors and evaluates the implementation of the law and submits an annual report to the civil service committee of both houses of Congress at the end of the year.

Heads of government offices implement RA 9242 and its IRR.

The law is in accord with the Constitutional provision that seeks to "promote the preferential use of domestic materials and locally produced goods and adopt measures that help make them competitive."