Revised IRR for Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Law Introduced: What You Need to Know
By: Reina Rose B. Realino
Technology Transfer, Information, and Promotion Staff
The Civil Service Commission (CSC), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), launched the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act Number 9242 or the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Law last 30 August 2023 in Quezon City.
The revised IRR addresses the gaps and updates in the previous IRR seeking to also raise awareness of the PTF Law among its patrons – government agencies, in general, and government officials and employees, in particular.
The amendment of the IRR was a collaborative effort of the PTF Inter-agency Technical Committee, which includes the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA). The private sector also played an important role in the revision.
Photo 1. (L-R) DA-PhilFIDA Assistant Secretary Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra, DTI Competitiveness Bureau Director Lilian G. Salonga, CSC Commissioner Atty. Aileen Lourdes A. Lizada, CSC Chairperson Atty. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles, CSC Commissioner Atty. Ryan Alvin R. Acosta, DOST Assistant Secretary Diana L. Ignacio, DOST-PTRI Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño, Jr., and CSC Assistant Commissioner Ariel G. Ronquillo
The Philippine Tropical Fabrics contain natural textile fibers produced spun, woven, knitted, and finished in the Philippines. The PTF law, enacted on February 10, 2004, prescribes the use of PTF for uniforms of public officials and employees and other purposes. This supports local textile products and fosters a sense of nationalism among government workers. The law encompasses various government entities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, local government units, state and local universities and colleges, as well as local water districts.
The primary objective of the PTF law is to promote a sense of nationalism and patriotism among government employees by advocating for the use of locally-produced textiles. It is important to note that certain professions with specific uniform needs, such as firefighters, athletes, police officers, and military personnel requiring special gear like bulletproof vests, are still exempt from these regulations.
Despite these regulations, a report from 2021 highlights some challenges in implementing the law, especially concerning office uniforms. The difficulties include the limited availability of PTF, the non-availability of local spinning technology, and a shortage of suppliers meeting the required standards for PTF.
To address these issues, the PTF Technical Committee spearheaded by the CSC reviewed the existing IRR. Collaborative meetings involving stakeholders from industry associations and private groups were held in 2022 to tackle these challenges and how the IRR can be improved to respond to the challenges. As a result of these discussions, the amended IRR now has a revised weight requirement for natural textile fibers, acknowledging their still yet limited supply. Previously, the requirement was at least 5% by weight for fibers like abaca, banana, and pineapple, and 15% by weight for silk. The new standard is a minimum of 5% for both natural textile fibers and silk.
Photos 2 and 3. Samples of some natural textile fibers and PTF
The new IRR also states that PTF must be sourced from accredited local suppliers or direct manufacturers/traders certified by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), operating within the Philippines. These sources should also have a permit to transport fibers issued by the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (DA-PhilFIDA) for fiber transport.
The revised IRR also includes provisions for planning, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of the PTF law. These efforts will be overseen by the CSC, DA, DOST, and DTI.
The newly amended PTF regulations were officially signed on July 14, 2023, by CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles. These changes are aimed at making it easier for government employees to access PTF for their office uniforms while promoting a stronger sense of nationalism and love for the country.
Testing for Philippine Tropical Fabrics
Ensuring quality and adherence to textile standards are important, hence these should be tested and certified as compliant with the law before they can be used as government office uniforms.
The DOST-PTRI has taken on the lead role in this as the chair of the Technical Committee, while it remains to offer comprehensive testing services that play a central role in determining compliance of fabrics to the PTF law.
The DOST-PTRI textile testing laboratory can identify and quantify natural textile fibers like abaca, banana, pineapple, and silk present in PTF and yarns. This is achieved through optical micro-imaging analysis and evaluation. Moreover, the laboratory conducts colorfastness tests to assess how well fabrics retain its color and resist staining after exposure to various factors like laundering, perspiration, and rubbing.
Photos 4 and 5. Sample tests for PTF
For natural textile fibers intended for textile applications, the Institute provides a range of tests. These include analyses of crucial components like cellulose, lignin, residual gum, solvent extractives, and moisture contents. In terms of mechanical properties, common tests performed include assessing fabric cut, fabric weight, pilling resistance, breaking strength, and dimensional change.
To ensure the utmost accuracy and reliability, all these tests are conducted in accordance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards (PNS/ISO/IEC 17025-2017). Notably, the Laboratory also follows internationally recognized standard methods from esteemed institutions such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).
In the procurement process of PTF, quality assurance is introduced. Aside from the usual requisites, obtaining certification from DOST-PTRI and an attestation from the textile producer, affirming that their fabric is part of the certified PTF stock approved by DOST-PTRI is needed.
The DOST-PTRI mounted an exhibition showcasing the PTF, from fibers to fabrics. The exhibit featured uniform prototypes for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the House of Representatives (HRep), and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The exhibit also presented a collection by renowned Filipino Fashion Designer Avel Bacudio, all crafted using the PTF material.
Photos 6, 7, 8, and 9. DOST-PTRI exhibition about PTF
For more information about DOST-PTRI's programs and services, visit and follow DOST-PTRI's social media accounts or check out www.ptri.dost.gov.ph.
