The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) spearheaded a groundbreaking ceremony on October 12, 2024, marking the establishment of the largest commercial-scale silk cocoon production hub in the Philippines located in the municipality of Pangil, Laguna. This facility is a crucial step in expanding the country's silk industry under the SEDA Pilipinas initiative, part of the broader Philippine Silk Roadmap. 

In collaboration with DOST-CALABARZON and local enterprise Hills and Berries, the new facility will utilize a 10-hectare mulberry plantation situated in the Sierra Madre mountains. This innovative project will convert mulberry leaves—previously regarded as waste—into silkworm feed, promoting a sustainable and economically viable silk production model for the region. 

The hub is expected to produce at least 100 kilograms of fresh cocoons monthly, translating to an impressive annual output of 1.2 tons, making it the largest cocoon production site in the Philippines to date. Silkworms will yield cocoons in just 25 days, with up to 60 rearing cycles projected each year, allowing for a steady supply of raw silk. 

The project marks a collaboration between government agencies and the private sector, represented by DOST-PTRI Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño, DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director Emelita E. Bagsit, and Former Pangil, Laguna Mayor, Ms. Juanita Manzana, the project cooperator and owner of Hills and Berries, who attended the ceremony. It also signifies a pivotal moment for the Philippine Silk Roadmap, which aims to bolster local silk production and decrease reliance on imported raw materials. 

As construction of the silk cocoon production hub gets underway, the project is poised to create jobs, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and invigorate the local textile industry. It highlights the potential for collaboration between government agencies and private enterprises to drive sustainable development in rural communities. 

With an anticipated annual output of 120 kilograms of raw silk, the Pangil facility is set to be a vital contributor to the success of the Philippine Silk Roadmap. The national textile industry now looks to Pangil as a significant player in revitalizing local silk production. 

The groundbreaking ceremony represents a hopeful beginning for both the Pangil community and the Philippine silk industry, laying the foundation for innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the region.