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ILOILO City – The P16-million rehabilitation fund for super typhoon “Yolanda” given by the Department of Agriculture has increased abaca production in Western Visayas.
The region’s abaca production rose to 2,925 metric tons (MT) in 2016 from 1,933 MT in 2015, said Evelyn Cagasan, director of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Region 6.
Cagasan said the production last year, which generated a 992 MT increase, must be attributed to the rehabilitation in the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Capiz.
The fund was used for clearing fallen trees and replanting through a cash-for-work scheme in partnership with local government units.
Aklan ranked ninth among the top 10 abaca-producing provinces, latest data showed.
Although the region only contributes 4 percent to the country’s overall production of abaca, Western Visayas produces first-class abaca fiber used for pulp, the highest export earner among abaca products last year.
Exports earning from abaca products went up by 13.5 percent, PhilFIDA data showed.
From $114,793 in 2015, earnings rose to $130,322 last year. The highest earner was pulp ($88,449), followed by raw fiber ($25,782), cordage ($97,643), fiber crafts ($7,424), and fabrics ($1,024).
However, Cagasan said there is a gap between the demand and supply of abaca, especially the pulp export.
The pulp sector alone needs 90,000 MT each year but the national production is only 72,734 MT in 2016.
A regional Abaca Stakeholder’s forum was held where PhilFIDA presented the development plan for abaca production in Western Visayas. It was attended by farmers, government and nongovernment agencies, and PhilFIDA personnel.
“The development plan will be the basis for us to be given the budget,” said Caganas. (PIA/PN)
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