As part of the Handa Pilipinas: Mindanao Leg, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) presented its textile technologies designed to support disaster preparedness and management held at the KCC Convention Center in General Santos City on October 4, 2024. This event highlighted the role of innovative textile solutions in disaster scenarios, ensuring communities are better equipped to face natural calamities. 

In the presentation, the Institute emphasized how textiles play an integral role in various stages of disaster management, namely preparedness, response, and recovery. Among the key innovations showcased were sustainable nonwoven fabrics like meltblown and spunbonded textiles, which are essential for emergency medical needs and filtration purposes. These materials offer both practicality and sustainability, aligning with global trends in eco-friendly disaster response. 

The discussion also introduced geotextiles, which are fabrics used in civil engineering projects to enhance soil stability, drainage, and erosion control. These materials can be crucial for flood control and road rehabilitation, improving the resilience of infrastructure post-disaster. 

Additionally, DOST-PTRI underlined the importance of medical textiles in disaster situations. From first aid to wound care, textiles ensure a robust medical response, with quality tests such as bacterial filtration efficiency and synthetic blood penetration ensuring safety and effectiveness during emergencies. 

The showcase provided a comprehensive look at how textile technologies can be integrated into disaster preparedness plans, offering sustainable and innovative solutions that open new opportunities for improving community resilience across Mindanao and the Philippines.