Considered a sunset industry, the Philippine textile sector is getting back on its feet to secure a bright spot in our economy. Stakeholders of the Philippine textiles gathered together in the recently concluded TELA Serye:…kahapon, ngayon, bukas Philippine Textiles: the Future, Today  Conference held on 29th of January 2015 to celebrate collective determined efforts to revive the industry.

Advocates and enthusiasts from various sectors of the government, academe, private institutions, and social enterprises participated in the conference organized by DOST’s Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), which served as a platform for exchange of ideas and insights on innovations in the textile, garment, and fashion industry. A very interesting line-up of topics was presented by distinguished speakers PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba; Mr. Matthew B. Lazaro of Asia Textile Mills, Inc.; Atty. Leo A.T. Lagon of Power Fashion; Mr. Juanito Tan of Nonwoven Fabrics Philippines, Inc.; Ms. Jeannie Lynn J. Cabansag of PTRI-Research and Development Division (PTRI-RDD); notable designer and artisan Ms. Ma. Beatrice P. Tesoro; and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba. The conference also featured an exhibit of products employing PTRI-developed technologies from some of PTRI's partner companies and organizations as well as from within the Institute.

With the decline of local textile manufacturing in the past decades, many may be wondering where the industry is headed to right now.

The use of indigenous materials such as natural fibers and dyes continues to be a promising area, but the industry is also expected to receive a boost from Smart Textiles and Eco-Friendly Textiles. The recent breakthrough in the industry are functional textiles and non-woven composites that extend to automotive, architectural, and construction applications.

These recent advancements act as catalysts to growth and global competitiveness. As Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo said in his keynote address, “Philippine textile is poised to accept the challenges that the one ASEAN Economic integration will bring.”

Director Elumba shared some good news citing a 2012 HSBC report on Global Economics; which states that the Philippines, as one of the fastest growing countries, is set to become the world's sixteenth largest economy. With its demographics, the country is seen as one of those who will play a significant role in powering global growth over the next four decades.

Though this is the case, jobs still seem elusive for most of the Filipino working population today. PTRI seeks to address this issue through the generation of more employment opportunities in the textile and garment sector. 

Director Elumba also enjoined everyone to work on what is immediately possible: “to strengthen what is already available, to upscale, increase capacity and provide capability.” She also wanted to focus on the integration of the supply and value chain by importing less raw materials and consequently shifting to the production of high-value products.

In an effort to make technology applicable and more available, PTRI continues to expand its research and development activities. Aside from indigenous natural fiber blends and natural dyes, the institute is gearing towards more environment-friendly processing of bamboo and recycling of PET water bottles.

DOST provides support to PTRI in terms of infrastructure and skills upgrading. Secretary Montejo likewise called for stronger partnerships and collaborations from different sectors in the strategy to compete in the high-value added sector by using scientific technologies to improve quality and productivity.

Amidst challenges that need to be addressed such as high cost of electricity, taxation rates, trade barriers, and importation policies, the textile industry is gaining strength.  Science and technology takes concrete steps through PTRI’s thrusts to encourage more textile development and manufacturing to take place in our country, leading the future of Philippine textiles today. 

(PTRI’s Donna C. Aguilar)