PNoy waves banner for Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day

President Benigno C. Aquino III has declared Jan. 24, 2011 as “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day" to increase awareness and the use of indigenous fibers and fabrics. Aquino has issued Proclamation No. 86, placing the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Department of Science and Technology in charge. Aquino said that as the use of Philippine tropical fabrics unfolds over time, awareness and a sense of pride would grow among Filipinos to patronize locally made textiles, resulting in nationalism and wider employment. He cited the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law of 2004 (Republic Act 9242), which requires office uniforms of government officials and employees to be made out of at least 3 percent tropical fabrics containing natural fibers that were produced, spun, woven, or knitted, and finished in the Philippines. With around 1.3 million government employees needing uniforms, totally using local tropical fabrics could result in savings of $547.8 million (P23.977 billion) which would otherwise be spent in importing fibers. Aquino said the implementation of RA 9242 provides the much-needed push for the use of natural fibers like pineapple, banana, abaca, and Philippine silk. “I call on the fabric producers, textile manufacturers, and garments industries – including private sectors, associations and institutions – to actively participate in the proper observance of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day, and to give their full support in the local production and use of Philippine tropical fabrics and recognition of their importance in manpower capability building," he said. The PTRI is also pushing for the use of the saluyot (jute), water lily, and maguey as natural fibers which are ready to debut in the fashion world. The agency introduced saluyot in an all-natural blend with cotton while scientists have come up with a blend of 80 percent polyester and 20 percent saluyot. Water lily or water hyacinth grows in almost all of the country’s freshwater bodies so much so that it is even considered a weed. Maguey grows wild in northern Luzon, Cebu and Panay. It is used in cordage, ropes, twines, carpets, wall coverings, crafts, and handmade paper. The Philippine has 30 useful fiber crops of which abaca, banana, buntal, coconut coir, kapok, kenaf, kozo, maguey, piña, raffia, ramie, salago, silk, sisal, and cotton have commercial applications. – MRT/VS, GMANews.TV