The Hand-in-Hand Provincial Roundtable Discussion (PRD) for abaca was held on June 24–27, 2025, in Misamis Oriental. It was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) through Regional Office X and the Technical Assistance Division (TAD). The event aimed to present and validate the Abaca Commodity Investment Plan and gather feedback and support from stakeholders under the broader Hand-in-Hand initiative.
To deepen participants’ understanding of the abaca value chain, field visits were conducted in key production and processing areas. These included Fu DaLu-owned facilities, Higaonon Furnitures and Handicrafts, and Newtech Pulp Inc. in Iligan City. The visits showcased abaca farming, fiber processing, product development, and pulp production, providing participants with firsthand insights into the industry’s value and potential.
The roundtable brought together over 50 stakeholders from national government agencies, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), processors, traders, farmers, and Local Government Units (LGUs). Ms. Evelyn B. Cagasan, Special Assistant to the Executive Director, presented the investment plan, highlighting Misamis Oriental’s role in abaca development and the support needed to implement the plan effectively. The open discussion encouraged active sharing of insights, collaboration opportunities, and stakeholder commitments.
The event supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen rural industries and invest in high-value crops like abaca to improve farmer livelihoods. Echoing this vision, PhilFIDA Executive Director Ali Atienza emphasized the importance of strong collaboration among the public and private sectors to boost the industry’s growth. The commitments made during the PRD reflect a shared goal of building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive abaca sector.
