The Department of Agriculture is enlisting the support of key government agencies, particularly the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as part of its renewed push to revitalize the abaca industry.
Abaca, or Manila hemp, is native to the Philippines, which supplied 86 percent of the global demand in 2023.
The industry earned an average of $139.2 million annually in export revenue between 2014 and 2023, including 18 percent from raw fiber and 82 percent from manufactured products, primarily pulp.
It sustains over 1.5 million Filipinos. Nearly all abaca pulp produced locally is shipped abroad.
“We will request the BSP to reconsider its decision to remove abaca fiber from Philippine banknotes, as this has affected the livelihoods of millions,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.
“We will also urge the DFA to incorporate abaca into Philippine passports and encourage other government agencies to adopt its use in official documents,” he said.
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority executive director Arnold Atienza cited the need for stronger government support for an industry that embodies both national identity and global demand.
He said promoting abaca also aligns with the global shift toward sustainability.
“Abaca is biodegradable and compostable, benefitting the environment and local farmers alike. As the world’s top supplier, the Philippines has a responsibility to ensure its continued growth,” Atienza said.
About 120,145 abaca farmers are among the poorest in the country, with annual gross income below P40,000.