RP abaca pushed for espadrilles, as rope-soled shoes become trendy again

Now that espadrilles have become fashionable again, Sen. Loren Legarda has urged the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) to forcefully promote the use of Philippine abaca in the manufacture of the highly popular rope-soled shoes.

"It would be great if we can take advantage of the revival of espadrilles to stimulate in a big way the production and export of Philippine abaca," said Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs.

Espadrilles first became stylish in the '80s. The rope-soled footwear has become trendy again after Hollywood celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, started donning designer espadrilles by Yves Saint Laurent and Donna Karan.

Legarda said that if necessary, the government could even invite the former First Lady, Mrs. Imelda Marcos, to help promote abaca-soled espadrilles.

Mrs. Marcos became world-famous for her vast collection of shoes.

Legarda said the government and the private sector should combine forces to build up the local abaca industry, in order to boost employment, raise household income and ease poverty and hunger in the countryside. Abaca is cultivated by more than 82,000 farmers in 26 provinces in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. Yearly, they produce some 70,000 metric tons of fiber, of which about 25 percent is exported. "We have to push all possible commercial uses of abaca. Once fully developed, the industry can be a huge driver of economic and jobs growth," Legarda said.

The senator also stressed the need for improved abaca farming as well as fiber processing technologies that would raise both efficiency and product quality.

"Abaca farmers, processors and exporters deserve adequate financial, technical, marketing assistance as well as infrastructure support," she added.

Abaca is a species of banana native to the Philippines. The plant is harvested for its leaves and stems that yield the world's sturdiest natural fiber, called Manila hemp.

Abaca fiber is used to make twines, ropes, carpets, furniture, clothing material and handicraft. Abaca pulp is also processed into tea bags, coffee filter, vacuum cleaner bags, currency notes and other specialty paper. Studies have likewise identified abaca enzymes for use in high-value cosmetic and dietary products.

The FIDA estimates the annual global demand for abaca fiber at 600,000 metric tons. Even if all of the country's current annual abaca output is exported, this would still cover only a little over 10 percent of world demand.

Due to increased demand, the local buying price of abaca fiber has soared by 50 percent over the last five years, from P30 to P45 per kilo, according to the FIDA.