Philippine Handloom Weaving Industry Development Act

Senate Offer of the critati TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:18 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 799 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE PHILIPPINE HANDLOOM WEAVING INDUSTRY EXPLANATORY NOTE Handloom weaving is a vital expression of Filipino culture, with each weave embodying the vibrant heritage and identity of our people. Once considered a dying industry, handloom weaving has struggled to survive in the face of modernization and shifting economic landscapes. Based on the statement of Director Julius Leaño of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) dated June 23, 2025, the handloom weaving sector in the Philippines comprises an estimated 5,271 weavers across 481 weaving communities nationwide. These artisans are the stewards of centuries-old practices, producing fabrics such as Piña, Hablon, T'nalak, and Inabel. Their skill and resilience keep these traditions alive The industry remains vulnerable to a range of long-standing and emerging challenges: globalization, rising cost of raw materials, limited access to markets, low product diversification, fragmented artisan networks, and inadequate government support. The situation is further compounded by the proliferation of counterfeit handwoven products, which threaten the economic security of weavers and the authenticity of indigenous craftsmanship.

In a major cultural milestone, Aklan piña handloom weaving was inscribed in December 2023 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This international recognition highlights the value and the urgency of protecting and investing in our handloom weaving heritage. The Philippine Handloom Weaving Industry Development Act aims to address these gaps through a holistic and sustainable approach. It seeks to revive the handloom weaving industry, uplift the livelihoods of weavers, and position local textiles competitively in both domestic and international markets. The bill proposes the development of a clear policy framework and national roadmap to harmonize the efforts of various government agencies, optimize resource utilization, and strengthen the handloom value chain from raw materials to finished goods. This measure proposes the establishment of a dedicated body that will serve as the central mechanism to study, develop, and empower the sector. The National Handloom Weaving Council will be composed of representatives from the DOST PTRI, Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of the DOST (DOST-GTIDO), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of Agriculture (DA- PhilFIDA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The Council shall formulate the National Handloom Weaving Industry Development Policy, which will include strategic plans to support research and innovation, capacity building, access to markets, IP protection, and the promotion of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles. The handloom weaving industry requires genuine, coordinated efforts from both economic and cultural sectors. With adequate government support and the active involvement of stakeholders, this measure aims to preserve a cultural legacy, as well as to create lasting, dignified livelihoods for Filipino weavers. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Sellate we Office of the Eng TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:18 SENATE RECEIVED BY s. No. 799 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE PHILIPPINE HANDLOOM WEAVING INDUSTRY Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Philippine Handloom

2 Weaving Industry Development Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to instill patriotism

4 and nationalism among the people, especially in the education system, who shall at 5 all times be loyal to the Republic and the Filipino people, promote the preferential use 6 of locally manufactured goods that utilize local resources and technologies, celebrate 7 the culture and heritage of the country through the adoption of measures to elevate 8 its value and prestige and thus generate wider employment and inclusive greater 9 growth for the country by preserving and nurturing handloom weaving activities, thus in turn and nurtures the textile culture and heritage of our people.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are

hereby defined as follows: a. Handloom - refers to a device used in weaving fabrics by holding the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads; b. Handloom-woven fabric - refers to fabric woven using a handloom;

c. Handloom weaving industry - composed of the interrelated and interconnected component supply chain realizing the production of textiles through the handloom; and d. Neo-ethnic Philippines textiles - refers to textiles made of or containing natural or indigenous materials, sourced and/or produced in the Philippines using updated, relevant, and green scientific and technological approaches and innovations; while integrating and/or retaining traditional patterns, designs, icons, motifs and/or approaches, and thus, contribute to livelihood generation and in sustaining the local handloom weaving and textile heritage.

Sec. 4. Establishment of the National Handloom Weaving Development Council.

- The National Handloom Weaving Development Council shall be composed of the following: a. Head of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology as Chair of the Council; b. Head of the Garments and Textile Industry Development Office of the Department of Trade and Industry as Co-Chair; c. Head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as Member; d. Head of the National Commission on Indigenous People as Member; e. Head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Office of the President as Member; f. Head of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of Agriculture as Member; and g. Representative of the handloom weaving industry association as Member. The Council shall have, but not limited to, the following functions: 1. Formulate, implement, and monitor the measures to enable the National Handloom Weaving Industry Development Policy; 2. Prepare and submit an annual report on the implementation of this Act, including industry performance, program accomplishments, financial utilization, and policy recommendations;

3. Conduct a comprehensive review and updating of the National Handloom Weaving Industry Roadmap every three (3) years to ensure alignment with current trends, market demands, and community needs;

Sec. 5. The National Handloom Weaving Industry Development Policy. - The

5 Council shall formulate, one (1) year after it is created, the National Handloom 6 Weaving Industry Development Policy. This shall include, but not limited to, the 7 following: a. Formulation of the Handloom Weaving Industry Roadmap; b. Mapping of weaving communities and their resource/market needs; c. Innovations in handloom design and engineering; d. Technical support mechanism for sustainable handloom weaving activities; e. Development and promotion of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles; f. Development of Philippine Standards for Handloom Woven Textiles; g. Safeguarding and protection of authentic handloom woven textiles h. Intellectual property protection framework for textiles; i. Development of Textile-related Technical and Skills and Vocational Education and Training; and j. Inclusion of climate resilience and disaster risk measures, especially for vulnerable artisan areas

Sec. 6. Local Government Participation. Local government units (LGUs) are

hereby encouraged to support the growth and sustainability of local handloom weaving industries within their respective jurisdictions by: a. Enacting local ordinances and resolutions that recognize and promote the handloom weaving heritage of their communities, if any; b. Providing support services for weaving communities and cooperatives; and c. Prioritizing the procurement and use of locally handwoven fabrics for official uniforms, decorations, cultural events, and other appropriate applications, in accordance with applicable procurement laws.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary to implement the provisions

2 of this Act shall be appropriated as a distinct and separate item in consultation with 3 the Department of Budget and Management.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

5 effectivity of this Act, the Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the 6 Department of Science and Technology, in coordination with the Garment and Textile 7 Industry Development Office of the Department of Trade and Industry, the National 8 Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Technical Education and Skills Development 9 Authority, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority of the Department of 10 Agriculture, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. The IRR shall be formulated through consultations with key stakeholders, including but not limited to handloom weavers and weaving cooperatives, local government units (LGUs), and relevant non-government organizations (NGOS), to ensure that the policies and programs are responsive, inclusive, and community- driven.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or

17 unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 10. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,