DOST employees to wear uniforms from abaca and pineapple fibers
PTRI Release, January 24, 2005

The officials and employees of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, will soon be wearing their new sets of uniform made from Philippine Tropical Fabric (PTF). The women's uniform is made of polyester-piña while the men's is of polyester-abaca. The PTF are fabrics developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), an agency of the DOST. These are textiles made from homegrown fibers whose application ranges from functional and comfortable apparels and home textile to fashionably novelty fabrics and accessories. It's end products are manufactured locally either by handloom or power loom weaving in pure form or in blends with other textile fibers.
 
According to Secretary Alabastro, "DOST spearhead the wearing of the PTF uniforms not just in compliance with RA 9242 but also to demonstrate our support for the textile industry." RA 9242 is an act prescribing the use of Philippine tropical fabrics for uniforms of public officials and employees and for other purposes.
 
PTRI Director Carlos C. Tomboc on the other hand said, that with this move, DOST see a brighter future for the ailing fiber and textile industries. "These industries will benefit from the production and manufacture of these fabrics which are distinctly Filipino", he said. Most important is that the extraction of fibers from plantation wastes like pineapple leaves and banana trunks after fruit harvests will redound to additional employment and income for the farmers and daily wage laborers. Director Tomboc further adds that the use of plantation wastes for high value fibers will likewise eliminate burning of agricultural by-products and is consonant with the Clean Air Act in the aspect of reducing the production of green house gases or GHG.
 
The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for RA 9242 are ready to be signed by all members of the committee headed by Chairman Karina Constantino-David of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Other member signatories are Secretary Arthur C. Yap of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Secretary Cesar V. Purisima of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro of the DOST.
 
Under this Act, all fabrics to be used for uniforms and for other purposes (e.g. linens, draperies, upholsteries) shall have a composition of at least 5% by weight for either abaca, banana, and pineapple and 15% by weight for silk. Firemen's uniform, sports uniform, bulletproof vests, etc. may be exempted from the use of Philippine tropical fabrics, if the fabric's properties and standards do not meet the requirements of these special types of uniform. The IRR has delineated the roles of various government agencies involved for the proper implementation of R.A. 9242. The PTRI is responsible for the conduct of tests on the fabric composition as stated above, on whether or not the fabric meets the minimum standard requirements for uniforms and shall issue the appropriate certification or exemption as the case may be.
 
Guidelines for securing certification under RA 9242 will be issued by PTRI and shall apply to all garment manufacturers, textile producers, or fabric suppliers wishing to bid for the uniforms for public officials and employees. They have to submit their fabrics for mandatory testing.
 
As to the origin of silk, the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) of the DA shall issue a certificate of origin and shall also be part of the rule.
 
The CSC shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of RA 9242 and shall submit an annual report to the Civil Service committees of both Houses of Congress every end of the year. (Malu A. Flores, PTRI Media Service)