Abaca farmers field day held in Kananga
ORMOC CITY – More than 100 abaca farmers, barangay officials, employers and other key players in the abaca industry gathered during the Abaca Farmers’ Field Day last February 18, 2010 at Kananga Gymnasium. The activity was also coincided with the celebration of the international year of natural fibers.
The municipality of Kananga was among the LGUs in the province that prioritized programs for abaca production, which is included in the expanded agricultural program of the municipality. Mayor Elmer C. Codilla said that since he assumed office, he assisted abaca farmers of this town through the distribution of abaca plantlets, tissue-cultured planting materials, and the establishment of 1-hectare abaca municipal nursery in Barangay Mahawan, this town. He encouraged farmers to plant their idle farms for abaca and other high value crops to augment their income. He said that abaca is better than sugarcane plantation, which farmers can earn more, considering that the abaca plantation in this town was not affected by the virus.
Dr. Alfredo Guevarra, chief, research division of the office of the provincial agriculturist, said that the once very abundant abaca plantation in the Bicol, Sorsogon and Eastern Visayas was wiped out in 1915 and 1927 because of bunchy top virus. This includes the towns of Baybay and Mahaplag where the thriving abaca industry is present. Dr. Guevara represented Governor Petilla during the occasion.
It was also learned that Equador in South America, which is now exporting abaca fibers, only shipped abaca plantlets from Davao and some provinces of Mindanao sometime in the 1950s. It was during the spread of the virus that affects the abaca plantation in the country. Today Equador has 30,000 hectares of abaca plantation.
At present, the Philippines has 161,000 hectares devoted for abaca in 52 provinces, with 108,000 farmers benefited. United Kingdom, Japan and China are main market of the Philippines for raw abaca fiber. In 2008, the country earned $103 Million in exporting abaca fiber, but in 2009, it reduced to only $60 Million. The provinces of Catanduanes, Leyte, Northern Samar, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental are major abaca producing provinces. For abaca pulp, Japan Germany, USA and France are major markets, while, for abaca rope, Philippines exported to USA, Singapore, Canada, Germany, UAE, France, Netherlands and Germany. It was also learned that 50 % of the Japanese Yen has abaca pulp while Philippine Peso bills has only 20-25%.
Jeffry G. Espeña, OIC-regional director of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), stressed the need of going back to natural fiber to prevent pollution and in addressing the climate change. He said that in the United States and Australia, paper bags are widely used compared to plastic. According to him, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched the Bayong Project using abaca, buri and other sources of quality fibers for bags and hand baggage. He added that in car industry, abaca fiber, locally known as lanot is used in car siding, dashboard and other parts of the automobile. Fibers are also widely used in oil drilling in Middle Eastern countries since they prefer abaca rope compared to nylon rope which is not recyclable, while the abaca ropes can be recycled into newsprint/ paper. Cosmetics and pharmaceutical products such as foundation, face powders, and medicines, use abaca fibers, while extract from abaca is also needed in producing quality paints.
Assistant Regional Director Olympio Macarayan presented a comprehensive situationer of the different natural fibers in the country. He said that fiber from buri called “Rafia” fiber which is a raw materials for native hats and ropes produced 9,000 metric tons of rafia fiber and with an export earning of $99 Million. The country’s main market are UK, Taiwan, US and China. The bark of the siapo tree, which is present in Cebu, is used in making paper, particularly bank notes, and even Japanese Yen. It produces 489 metric tons with an earning of $5.9 Million. Barong from piña fiber is manufactured in Iloilo and Aklan provinces. There are 3,137 hectares of pineapple plantation extracted with pineapple leaves fiber in different parts of the country particularly in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Aklan and Palawan with an export earning of $16,000 annually. Natural fiber from coconut is used in making coco coir which is used in making rags, carpet, and for drainage canal and as protection from landslide.
Also present during the occasion were Mayor Codilla, Vice Mayor Macario Lumangtad Jr., FIDA Regional Director Jeffry Espeña, Assistant Regional Director Dr. Olympio Macarayan, Engr. Willardo Sinahon, Provincial FIDA Officer, SB Member Ferdinand Borela, chairman of the committee on agriculture. Also present were the visitors from Mandaluyong City led by Barangay Chairman Vedasto Guisando of Brgy. Barangka Drive. (GERARD REYES)
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