Legarda boosts Antique abaca industry with training, aid

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SAN JOSE, ANTIQUE — Senator Loren Legarda has reaffirmed her commitment to reviving Antique’s abaca industry by directly funding training, supporting local farmers, and pushing for value-added production to help the province gain a stronger foothold in local and international markets.

Speaking at the Abaca Stakeholders’ Forum on August 15 at Kinaray-a Hotel, Legarda addressed abaca farmers, local officials, and representatives of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and other government agencies.

“Ang abaca ay hindi lamang hibla; ito ay bahagi ng kabuhayan, at likas-yamang ipinagkaloob sa atin ng mayamang lupain dito sa Antique,” said Legarda, underscoring abaca’s cultural and economic significance.

Despite Antique’s rich resources, PhilFIDA Region 6 reported that the province accounted for only 0.82 percent of Western Visayas’ total abaca production from 2019 to 2024.

Legarda acknowledged challenges including an aging farmer population, the outmigration of skilled fiber strippers, and limited processing capacity.

“Marami sa ating abaca strippers ay napipilitang mamasukan sa ibang probinsya,” she noted, adding that these realities demand immediate attention.

Still, she expressed optimism about the industry’s potential.

“Sa kabila ng lahat ng hamon, naniniwala po ako na may pag-asa at malaking potensyal tayo sa paggawa ng mga abaca twine at iba pang produktong abaca,” she told forum attendees.

To demonstrate this commitment, Legarda personally financed an abaca twining training in Barangay Fragante, Pandan.

The funds were used to procure initial materials and enable community members to begin production.

“Maliit man ang panimula, nakita ko na agad ang pagbabago sa kumpiyansa at kasanayan nila,” she said.

She emphasized a multi-pronged approach to industry growth, beginning with encouraging youth engagement through skills training, scholarships, and livelihood kits.

She also committed to boosting value-adding and local processing so Antique can transition from being a raw materials supplier to a source of quality, finished abaca products.

“Hindi natin hahayaang masayang at hindi mapakinabangan ng ating mga kasimanwa ang yamang kinakanlong ng Antique,” Legarda said.

MSMEs, which she called the “puso ng ating lokal na ekonomiya,” will also receive sustained support under her advocacy.

She stressed that sustainable development and traditional environmental stewardship must be integral to the industry’s revival.

Legarda added that beyond boosting production or expanding product lines, the ultimate goal is to improve livelihoods.

“Ang pinakamahalaga po ay ang maitaas ang antas at dignidad ng pamumuhay ng bawat pamilyang Antiqueño sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalago ng kanilang likas na talento, pagsusumikap, at ng mga yaman ng kalikasang ipinagkaloob sa ating mahal na probinsya,” she said.

PhilFIDA Region 6 has identified priority interventions for Antique, including expanding training programs, upgrading processing centers, and promoting innovation in abaca product design.

Abaca, also known as Manila hemp, is a globally traded fiber prized for its strength and biodegradability, used in textiles, ropes, paper products, and increasingly in sustainable packaging.

Despite being one of the world’s top producers, the Philippines faces stiff competition from emerging markets and must address production bottlenecks to remain competitive.

Through forums like this and on-the-ground initiatives, Antique seeks to position itself not just as a participant but a leading contributor in the country’s fiber industry.