Left to right: Mr. Alexander A. Argame, Jr. (Senior SRS, DOST-PTRI), Ms. Jenneli E. Caya (Supervising SRS, DOST-PTRI), Ms. Zailla F. Payag (Supervising SRS, DOST-PTRI), Ms. Winnalyn Mae Amaca (DTI-CIG), Ms. Shyne G. Meneses (SRSII, DOST-PTRI) and Ms. Cris Angelo Pagtalunan (SRSII, DOST-PTRI).
Makati City, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Creative Industries Development Office (CIDO), participated in the Innovation Dialogue with Philippine Tropical Fiber (PTF) Textile Producers on 26 June 2025, organized by the the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST PTRI).
The dialogue served as a platform to advance the implementation of the PTF Law. It convened key government agencies and textile producers to assess production capacities, address industry challenges, and gather recommendations aimed at strengthening the tropical fiber value chain. Central to the discussions were opportunities to mainstream indigenous and tropical fibers in national supply chains – particularly for government-issued uniforms- and institutionalize their role in promoting sustainability, cultural integrity, and economic competitiveness.
As part of the DTI’s broader efforts to elevate Filipino creativity and promote sustainable innovation, the dialogue aligns with the goals of the Malikhaing Pinoy Program (MPP),a flagship initiative of the Philippine government led by the DTI in its capacity as Chair of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council. The MPP aims to advance the country’s creative agenda by spotlighting Filipino talent, cultural heritage, and ingenuity.
In his opening remarks, DTI Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong underscored how the PTF Law supports the objective of the MPP by promoting indigenous fibers, cultural preservation, and sustainable local industries. “Through the PTF Law, we are not only recognizing our indigenous fibers and traditional weaving techniques—we are also creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, promoting cultural preservation, and empowering local industries to thrive in a modern economy, he said.”
Board of Investments (BOI) Director Rolando Buluran and Tatak Pinoy Office (TPSO) Deputy Administrative Head Myleen Aldana also presented their initiatives and programs during the dialogue, highlighting the Department’s proactive approach to integrating local textiles into national supply chains and institutional frameworks. This reinforces the vision of a globally competitive and culturally rooted Philippine creative economy.
The discussions highlighted the need for strategic alignment, particularly in integrating local textiles into government procurement, supporting capacity-building in textile manufacturing, and fostering innovation-led approaches. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to collaborative implementation of thePTF Law.
Among the participating textile producers were Mr. Matthew “Chuck” B. Lazaro, CEO of Asia Textile Mills, Inc. and Ananas Annam; Ms. Katherine Cabrera, General Manager of Ananas Annam; Ms. Sabrina Tsai, Vice President for Product Development of Medtecs International Corporation; Ms. Dianne Masalunga, Vice President for Marketing of Medtecs International Corporation; Mr. Jose Antonio “Tony” Olives, General Manager of Weaver Textile Mills, Inc.; and Ms. Charmagne Diaz, Representative of Sritex and CEO of CK Diaz.
The presence of the National Innovation Council (NIC), represented by Ms. Cheska Espino of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), underscored the importance of a whole-of-government approach in enhancing industry resilience and competitiveness. This dialogue marks a significant step forward in the country’s pursuit of a more self-reliant and culturally grounded textile industry-one that not only supports economic development and job creation but also affirms and celebrates Filipino identity through the promotion of local materials and craftsmanship. ♦
Date of Release: 03 July 2025