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The National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Fiber Crops Special Meeting, held online on March 11, 2025, focused on the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)\u2019s FY 2026 Plan and Budget Proposal, which amounts to Php 1.259 billion. The budget prioritizes production support, research and development, and regulatory services to boost fiber production and mechanization. Stakeholders raised concerns about the significant increase in funding compared to previous years, with PhilFIDA officials clarifying that the additional budget is intended to address gaps in mechanization and planting material production. Discussions also covered the allocation of funds across different fiber crops, with 65% of the budget designated for abaca, while the remaining portion supports other fiber crops.<\/span><\/p>\n A key topic in the meeting was the commercial testing of BANDALA, an abaca hybrid fiber developed by the University of the Philippines Los Ba\u00f1os (UPLB) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology \u2013 Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). Stakeholders raised concerns regarding the project\u2019s objectives, fiber grading, and the availability of raw materials for testing. Additionally, some members expressed hesitation over the use of the term \u201cbandala,\u201d which traditionally refers to true abaca, arguing that it could cause confusion among farmers and industry players. Despite these concerns, the committee agreed to proceed with the testing, provided that clear monitoring and evaluation protocols are established.<\/span><\/p>\n The meeting also tackled challenges in fiber production, particularly the need for disease control, enhanced drying facilities, and retraining of inspectors for proper fiber grading. Concerns over the uprooting of Daratex plants, issues of cross-pollination with true abaca, and the expansion of production areas were discussed. PhilFIDA officials assured the body that they are taking steps to address these issues, including plans to visit key production areas like Bicol and Davao for further assessment. Additionally, the request for a diagnostic laboratory in Mindanao to support disease indexing was raised. However, PhilFIDA clarified that while a new facility is not currently budgeted, existing diagnostic services and detection kits are being distributed to farmer organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n
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