A day after the signing of Republic Act No. 12024, also known as the Self-reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, which seeks to bolster local defense asset production and foster a national defense industry, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) spearheaded the Innovation Dialogue for Human Security and the Defense Sector. The event, held on October 9, 2024, at the TELA Gallery in Taguig City, gathered key stakeholders to explore advancements in military textiles and defense technologies. 

The event is part of DOST-PTRI’s ongoing “Functional Philippine Camouflage Fabric for Field Service Uniform (FSU) / Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) Application” project, under the larger Philippine Camouflage, Optical, Mechanical, Ballistic, and Armored Textiles (COMBATex) R&D Program. The dialogue aimed to align the military’s textile needs with scientific advancements while fostering collaboration among stakeholders. 

Key participants included representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)—comprising the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force—the Philippine National Police (PNP), and several local textile manufacturers, including Medtecs International Corporation Limited, CKDiaz Enterprise, Asia Textile Mills, Inc., Weavers Textile Mills, Inc., and Saffron Philippines Inc. 

The event opened with discussions on the specific textile requirements for military uniforms, particularly the need for high-performance Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTFs) that offer durability, camouflage, and ballistic protection. Representatives from the AFP and PNP highlighted the importance of having reliable local textile sources for uniforms and field gear, ensuring that these materials meet both functional and safety standards. 

During the event, textile industry stakeholders shared insights on current capabilities in fabric production and the potential for further development to meet defense sector demands. The dialogue fostered discussions on collaboration between the government, military, and industry, with the goal of facilitating technology adoption and commercialization. 

The event concluded with a commitment from all parties to continue exploring ways to strengthen the local textile industry’s role in supporting national defense initiatives. The ongoing collaboration between DOST-PTRI and key defense stakeholders aims to ensure that the Philippines can produce high-quality, locally-made military PTFs that meet international standards.