The ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐๐ (๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ข ๐ฉ๐๐) successfully held the 2025 Fiber Industry Stakeholders Forum in Dalaguete, Cebu, on September 18, 2025. The event brought together fiber traders, processors, farmers, and representatives from the Municipal Agriculturist Offices (MAOs) of Cebu’s local government units (LGUs), as well as PhilFIDA Unit Heads and Provincial Fiber Officers from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
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๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง โ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐โ ๐. ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฌ opened the forum with a warm welcome to the participants and reaffirmed her municipality’s support for the growth and development of the fiber industry. ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ, ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ผ๐น๐ฑ โ๐๐น๐ถโ ๐. ๐๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ, through video message, echoed his sentiment, expressing the agency’s commitment to strengthening the Philippine fiber industry. He assured stakeholders that the agencyโs support would extend beyond the two main cropsโAbaca and Cottonโand emphasized that efforts to distribute machinery for fiber harvesting would continue. Director Atienza also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration to pool resources effectively and provide greater assistance to fibercrop farmers.
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During the event, OIC Regional Director Joseph S. Salas presented an overview of PhilFIDA’s programs, projects, and activities in the region. Gilbert V. Mayores, Planning Officer-Designate, shared important statistical data on the fiber industry from the previous year, while Andy O. Baco, Head of the Regulatory Unit, discussed the regulatory functions, processes, and services offered by PhilFIDA. Additionally, Jose Dary C. Locsin, head of the Technical Assistance Unit, highlighted the agency’s services, programs, and key accomplishments.
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In an industry-focused discussion, Mr. Godofredo Barino, a representative from the Salago Fiber Trade, shared his insights on the challenges within the Salago industry and his coordination efforts with farmers to help market and sell Salago fibers. Ms. Jemima Alcoceba, Manager of SULCI Handicraft, a company that specializes in Raffia-based handicrafts exported to Japan and other countries, addressed a key concernโthe aging workforce. She also highlighted their offer of free livelihood training for interested associations.
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The open forum, moderated by Mr. Lionel J. Abella, Provincial Fiber Officer of Cebu, allowed participants to voice their needs and concerns, including:
1. Access to quality planting materials
2. Availability of fiber-processing machinery
3. Labor subsidies
4. Livelihood training opportunities
5. Marketing and fair pricing for fiber products
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The forum also featured an actual demonstration on sisal fiber extraction using multi-fiber decortication machine, awarding of a Certificate of Appreciation to the LGU-Dalaguete for its vital role in hosting the event and signing ceremony that formalized the commitment to support the fiber industry in the province.
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PhilFIDA expressed its sincere thanks to Dalagueteโs leadership, including Mayor Nelin โBembieโ B. Tambis and MANRO Leonardo Carin, for their instrumental support in organizing the forum and providing an excellent venue, which played a significant role in the eventโs success.
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