Abra intends to construct a bamboo yarn hub

DT | Abra intends to construct a bamboo yarn hub | BANGUED, Abra – The Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST) and the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are collaborating to develop a long-term bamboo textile hub in the province.

The machinery for bamboo fibre extraction will be housed in the bamboo textile hub, which was officially opened at the ASIST main campus in Lagangilang town by DOST-PTRI director Julius Leano Jr.

“At least the supply chain is beginning to be finished. The objective is to eventually create our own yarn and thread for weaving. We are beginning to develop our own materials because of this, Leano stated outside of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTIW) event.

He added that local professionals will be trained for the bamboo project. “There will be a splitting machine and mechanical softening machine that will treat the fibres so that what will come out of the facility will be treated fibre,” he said.

He stated that the factory intends to replace imported yarns with locally produced ones.

“When the raw materials utilised, which go beyond only polyester, are of high quality, woven products keep their favourable market prices. You are aware that it is a handmade, cultural work of art, but when made of cheap materials, its value is diminished.

Leano claimed that a pole of bamboo is worth PHP200, the same as one kilo of bamboo fibre extract, which might greatly increase the community’s ability to generate cash.

In order to ensure that the bamboo fibre produced by bamboo weavers meets the standards necessary to make a thread, he stated, “we will continue to support [bamboo weavers] by bridging the hub with the thread production.”

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as municipal governments, can participate in the planting of bamboo.

To avoid depleting the bamboo plants, which are also used to make other things like handicrafts, he continued, “We also want to plant our own.”

Abra, a region well-known for its high-quality bamboo crafts, created the “Kawayan Festival” to honour the profusion of the resource that grows naturally in the 27 towns of this province. It is held every first quarter of the year. (via PNA)