The Philippine Silk Industry is gaining a major new facility with the launch of the Silk Innovation Hub located at the Luis J. Montinola Learning Resource Center, Brgy. Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. This was made possible by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute, Technological University of the Philippines - Visayas, and the Office of the Representative of the Third District of Negros Occidental Hon. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Bantug Benitez.  

The Hub, located at the PTRI-Technology Center Misamis Oriental, has both the capability and machinery to process silk from cocoons, raw silk, to thrown silk yarn. It has the capacity to produce 7 kg of raw silk and 20 kg of thrown silk per respective 8-hour operation. Silk outputs from the hubs in Northern Mindanao, CAR, and Western Visayas regions are DOST-PTRI's initial offerings towards attaining Philippine Silk sufficiency. 

The Silk Innovation Hub has the capacity to produce 20 kilograms of thrown silk yarn per 8-hour run, similar to the output of the PTRI-Technology Center in Misamis Oriental (TCMO) facility. Its key capability is processing raw silk through the critical steps of twisting and plying to create stronger silk yarn suitable for generating medium-weight silk fabrics. 

The launching was graced by Talisay City, Negros Occidental Vice Mayor Jose Nicolas Jalandoni III, DOST-PTRI Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño, Jr., TUP President Engr. Reynaldo P. Ramos, and TUPV Campus Director Eric Malo-oy. Dr. Leaño mentioned that more innovation hubs will be put up in Negros Occidental and encouraged TUPV to be prepared for the upcoming partnerships. 

Dr. Leaño also presented the Spinning Innovations for Philippine Textiles using Natural Materials during the TUPV Technology Convention 2024 with the theme "Sustainable Innovations through Emerging Technologies in Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Natural Resources (AANR)." The Director emphasized the potential of Silk as an additional source of income for farmers, Local Government Units, and Private Sectors. 

Having the technology and the facility to convert raw silk into high-quality yarn for fabrics can drive innovation, create new products, and capitalize on the growing global demand for silk materials. 

Watch out for the next Silk Innovation Hub in the country!