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Alden Monzon - The Philippine Star
December 14, 2025 | 12:00am
In a statement, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) said the facility in Brgy. Fulgencio, Balete was turned over to the Piña Farmers and Weavers Association (PWAFA) as part of the government’s continued support to the expansion of the piña industry in Western Visayas.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — A new pineapple fiber processing center has opened in the province of Aklan, giving farmers and weavers a dedicated facility to help the community meet rising demand for piña products both locally and abroad.
In a statement, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) said the facility in Brgy. Fulgencio, Balete was turned over to the Piña Farmers and Weavers Association (PWAFA) as part of the government’s continued support to the expansion of the piña industry in Western Visayas.
“The facility provides a dedicated area for processing, drying, finishing and storage, helping farmers and weavers improve product quality, minimize post-harvest losses and enhance production efficiency,” PhilFIDA said.
“By centralizing operations, the center will enable the community to better meet the rising demand for piña fiber and woven goods,” it added.
PhilFIDA said that the turnover of the facility aligns with directives from President Marcos and guidance from Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to strengthen fiber-producing communities and boost the competitiveness of the country’s traditional fiber industries.
According to PhilFIDA, total baling of commercial piña fiber in the country reached 72.95 metric tons in 2024, an increase of 63.7 percent from the 44.57 metric tons recorded in 2023.
As of October this year, production had reached 29.48 metric tons.
While piña production is steadily increasing, abaca remains the country’s top fiber, supplying a significant share of the global market.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the Philippines supplied 86 percent of the world’s abaca market in 2023.
Between 2014 and 2023, the industry generated an average annual export revenue of $139.2 million with most of the revenue coming from processed products such as pulp instead of raw fiber.
