SILK YARNS TO BE LOCALLY PRODUCED IN CORDILLERA WITH THE NEW SILK INNOVATION CENTER IN KALINGA

By: Reina Rose B. Realino
Technology Transfer, Information and Promotions Staff

Launching of the Silk Innovation Center in Kalinga

The commitment to continuously develop local and natural textile fibers of the Department of Science and Technology, through its textile research arm, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) found fresh expression with the launch of the Silk Innovation Center in Kalinga, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). To grow the silk production activities in the Cordilleras, the Silk Innovation Center was launched on April 29, 2022 at the Kalinga State University (KSU) Rizal Campus with the 10-hectare KSU property earmarked for mulberry propagation.

Ribbon cutting ceremony of the Silk Innovation Center

Tour inside the Silk Innovation Center in KSU Rizal Campus

The Center enables the KSU to reel silk filaments from dried cocoons. It will also provide access to technologies for seri-farmers and silk weavers in Kalinga to convert and process the cocoons into filaments, yarns, and fabrics that will translate to additional competencies and capabilities to increase the supply-demand for silk yarns in the country, particularly in Luzon. The Center will be hub of silk production in Northern Luzon for the processing of silk cocoons coming from Kalinga, Apayao, Benguet, and parts of Cagayan Province.  

Facility tour inside the Silk Innovation Center inside the Kalinga State University Rizal Campus

The use of the machines in the facility were demonstrated to the public and the output showcased in an exhibition of textile products from Philippine silk. Attended by DOST-CAR, Local Government Units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), farmers, weavers, media, and other government agencies, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among KSU, DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region, and DOST-PTRI to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in sericulture in the Cordillera was also signed. The MOA will ensure the sustainable supply of quality and productive silkworm eggs from the DOST-PTRI germplasm. Likewise, another MOA signing between DOST-PTRI and Kapangan Farmers as partners for the small-scale mulberry cultivation and the conduct of silkworm rearing in Kapangan, Benguet, was conducted.

MOA signing with DOST-PTRI, DOST-CAR, Kalinga State University, and Kapangan Farmers

Seda Pilipinas for Cordillera Weavers

The Cordillera region is home to the largest number (21%) of weavers in the country. The Silk Innovation Center will be the hub of silk processing activities in the Cordillera, and provide locally-produced silk yarns to the weavers for the diversification of their products and markets. With the creative craftsmanship of our weavers, Kalinga and environs will be known as producers of silk-based wearables to add to Kalinga's pride.

DOST-PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba introducing the silk fabric Battal na Ga’ddang President Inocencio Banganay  

Kinwa Etnika Handicrafts Weaving Center weavers attending the launch as one of the beneficiaries of the Silk Innovation Center

Seda Pilipinas is Sustainable

The Philippine silk value chain has a high socio-economic impact aside from it being a bio-product. The brand, “Seda Pilipinas'', carries collective silk products showcasing the beauty, art, and science behind the local silk industry.

From 2018 to 2020, DOST-PTRI implemented the Philippine Silk Road Program through S&T which supported the revitalization of Philippine silk to support farmers, weavers, and partner industries in the textile sector through science and technology. The program enhanced the technical competence of the PTRI Technology Center in Misamis Oriental, the repository of the DOST-PTRI silkworm germplasm and the hub of all silk research and innovation in the country. On December 1, 2021, the first multi-end silk processing line in Northern Mindanao was established to enable the Technology Center in Misamis Oriental (TCMO) to begin its operation as the silk processing hub for all cocoons produced by seri-partner-farmers in Northern Mindanao, in particular.

The DOST-PTRI TCMO Silk Research and Innovation Center

Life cycle of Silk worms displayed during the launch 

DOST-PTRI TELA Gallery Textile Design and Innovation Hub

This preceded the launch of the Silk Innovation Center in Kalinga. In that event, DOST-PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba said, "Our main pursuit is to enrich what many of us already have, and in this case, our silkworms. We have the seed, which is the fiber, in this case, and what can you do with that fiber? Let's grow that.". The SEDA Pilipinas aims to expand and congregate more silk stakeholders into convergence for a systematic partnership towards a complete Philippine silk value chain.

For more information about DOST-PTRI's programs and services, visit and follow DOST-PTRI social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts or check out www.ptri.dost.gov.ph.