Masbate known as the country’s “Cattle Capital” is taking on a new title as it ventures into the world of abaca! Once famous mainly for its vast grasslands and thriving livestock and fisheries industries, Masbate is now making history with its first-ever PhilFIDA-assisted abaca farm—a big step toward diversifying the province’s agricultural landscape.
The initiative was led by Atty. Ramir Alindogan, a proud Masbateño who was inspired to start abaca farming after seeing a post about its success in Cotabato. Guided by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) under the leadership of Executive Director Arnold “Ali” I. Atienza and in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to strengthen the fiber industry, Atty. Alindogan’s vision came to life with full support from PhilFIDA OIC-Regional Director Mary Anne R. Molina.
Through the technical expertise of Engr. Brent Baltazar B. Marbella and the Sorsogon Fiber Experiment Station (SFES) team, abaca seedlings were successfully planted in 2022 and by September 2025, the farm celebrated its first successful harvest! The team also conducted fiber quality assessments and harvesting demonstrations using the Modified Abaca Stripping Knife (MASK), marking a breakthrough for abaca production in the province.
This milestone shows how passion, perseverance, and partnership can open new doors for agricultural innovation. With continued support from the government and local stakeholders, Masbate is now officially part of the growing map of abaca-producing provinces in the Philippines, a proof that with dedication, anything can grow, even where it never has before.
