DOST-PTRI Celebrated Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month through TELA Vision 2020

From L-R: Ms. Carmelita Nuqui (DAWN), DOST-PTRI Dir. Celia B. Elumba, Sen. Nancy S. Binay, ASec. Maridon O. Sahagun, Ms. Jeannie E. Javelosa (GREAT Women Corporations), and DOST Ambassador Chris Tiu

PASAY CITY – The DOST – Philippine Textile Research Institute’s (DOST - PTRI), a proud textile arm of the Department of Science and Technology, recently hosted this year’s celebration of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Month dubbed as TELA Vision 2020 Towards AmBisyon Natin 2040: Harnessing Philippine Tropical Fabrics in co-creating the future of the Philippine textile industry. It coincides with the celebration of the 53rd anniversary of the institute.

Kicking off the session, DOST – PTRI Dir. Celia B. Elumba shared that this celebration emphasizes the contribution of various textile industry stakeholders to make PTF rise towards its envisioned role in AmBisyon Natin 2040 to enable Filipinos to “enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life”. She enjoined everyone to participate in a whole day program filled with various segments and talks from some of the notable stakeholders to share knowledge concerning the PTF, visit the exhibits featuring various PTF products and creations, and check out the Ready-to-Buy project booth.

DTI – BOI Dir. Evariste M. Cagatan and Dir. Elumba started the sessions both showing two different but interrelated roadmaps related to textiles. Dir. Cagatan gave a glimpse of the Philippine Textile-Garments Industry Roadmap, presented a summary of the SWOT analysis of the industry, and the 2029 vision of a Sustainable Competitive and Integrated Philippine Textile-Garment Industry that Generates Inclusive Growth, along with its expected milestones and strategies. It was followed by Dir. Elumba’s presentation of the 2016-2020 S&T Roadmap for Textiles, a review of the PTRI R&D programs and accomplishments with the highlight of R&D’s role towards the competitive Philippine natural textile industry, and how the PTRI will proceed towards to 2040.

The event was graced by Sen. Nancy S. Binay, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, who sparked inspiration as she mentioned the government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to further work together to convert natural textile fibers into high-value products and making the Philippines a major producer of these commodities. She also commended DOST – PTRI and offered continued support as she is able to witness the institute’s initiatives toward silk production which was evident when she visited silkworm breeding and processing facilities all over the Philippines.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the viewing of exhibits with Sen. Binay and DOST Ambassador Chris Tiu, the sessions were continued and the participants were then presented with opportunities for collaborations. The talk of Dr. Julius L. Leaño, Chief of R&D Division, presented the current R&D strategies and called for collaborations through on-the-job training, joint research undertakings, and contract researches. This was then backed-up by various DOST funding agencies’ representatives from DOST-PCIEERD, DOST-TAPI, DOST Project Management Office who encouraged the attendees to explore the funding opportunities, financial grants and assistance that can be provided for R&D undertakings in the textile sector.

Ms. Medallo of Danilyn’s Enterprise shared her testimonial as one of the DOST-PTRI’s successful entrepreneurs to whom the handloom machine technology design was transferred. DOST USec Rowena Cristina L. Guevara closed the morning session with the challenge for PTRI to continue providing interventions for the Philippine textile industry through research, development, and innovation towards a sustainable textile economy.

The Institute hosted TELA Talks Textile Industry Roundtable Discussion in the afternoon to engage discourse on the needs of the industry and what needs to be done to resolve issues identified. This was simultaneous with the start of the Philippine Silk Summit, a two-day summit commenced with a history of the silk industry and sharing of experiences of silk-producing countries with guest speakers from the Philippines, India, and Lao People's Democratic Republic.

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For more information, contact the DOST-PTRI Technology Transfer, Information and Promotion Staff at tel. nos. (02) 8837-2071 loc 2361 / 8837-1338 / 8817-7920 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..