PhilFida asks to double budget to help farmers

Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority executive director Arnold Atienza —JORDEENE B. LAGARE

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) is seeking P1.259 billion for next year to increase farmers’ production and income through various initiatives.

PhilFida executive director Arnold Atienza told the Inquirer the proposed budget would help boost research and development, farm mechanization, and establish market linkages between farmers and institutional buyers.

If approved, this would be significantly higher than the government’s allocation of P582.39 million for PhilFida this year.

“I’m asking for double [budget],” Atienza said. “But you know, my idea in asking for budget is always: shoot for the stars, land on the moon.”

Atienza said PhilFida, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), was targeting to increase local fiber output by at least 30 percent by 2026.

Abaca production totaled 16,740 metric tons (MT) in 2024, a 1.3-percent increase from 16,490 MT a year ago, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It has remained at the 16,000 MT level in the last three years.

‘Lapat’ indigenous management system safeguards fisheries of Abra River

Atienza said the budget allocation would equip farmers with the necessary support and tools to produce high-quality abaca products in massive volumes.

“Of course, there’s a lot of things to do. We have to educate. Education is number one and we have to help them also mechanize their farms,” he said.

PhilFida also plans to introduce an adopt-a-farm program that aims to link abaca farmers to weavers and furniture makers, hoping to at least double their income and bridge the gap between farmers and end-users.