In a groundbreaking move to advance the textile industry in Eastern Visayas, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) forged two key partnerships as part of the 2024 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Eastern Visayas on June 26, 2024, at the People's Center and Library, Tacloban City, Leyte. 

The first partnership marked the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among DOST-PTRI, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), and the DOST Regional Office No.VIII to establish the first-ever Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) in Leyte. The NTFIH is poised to become a center of textile innovation in Eastern Visayas for processing natural fibers, including pineapple leaf, abaca, and banana, to produce cotton blended with natural textile fiber yarns. 

Following this, DOST-PTRI inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EVSU, solidifying their commitment to textile education and research. This partnership forms part of establishing the Textile Academy, a hub for textile knowledge exchange. The academy aims to develop textile S&T human resources through skills training programs, workshops, research initiatives, and professional development, fostering expertise in textile technology, design, and sustainable practices. 

Furthermore, the establishment of the NTFIH Leyte and the Textile Academy represents significant milestones in advancing local expertise and fostering a vibrant ecosystem for textile innovation and education in the region.