“The 4th Philippine Silk Summit” was Held in the Philippines
On 27 January, ISU member unit - Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) held "The 4th Philippine Silk Summit" online and offline in Makati, the Philippines. Ph.D. Leah J. Buendia, undersecretary of Department of Science and Technology (DOST), made a welcome remarks. Senator Hon. Maria Nancy Binay-Angeles, Senate of the Philippines, gave a keynote message. The responsible person presented the progress and results of the silk project "SEDA Pilipinas". The summit also provided further information on national initiatives and policies for the development of Philippine silk, integrated and harmonized all programs, projects, and directions among stakeholders, and created an interim technical working group to lead in the creation of the Philippine Silk Roadmap. ISU secretariat was invited to attend the summit.
Three experts were invited to give presentations. Carlo R. Eliserio, business manager of Aklan Fashion Designers Association (AFDA) introduced the “Philippine Silk in the Creative Industry”. Ma. Corazon H. Dichosa, industry executive director of Department of Trade and Industry Board of Investment introduced the “Philippine Silk Trade: Government’s Support for the Silk Industry”. Prof. Su Miao, associate dean of International Institute of Silk of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and member of ISU History Culture Professional Committee, introduced the “Silk Innovation and Trends in the Global Industry”. The summit provided a clear direction for comprehensive support and development of the Philippine silk industry.
Since 2019, DOST has been staging the Philippine Silk Summit to showcase its initiatives and efforts, and the key R&D, innovation, and production of the Philippine Silk. The previous Summits revisited linkages and collaborations that progressed into collective works of integrating the Philippine silk value chain. This year’s 4th Philippine Silk Summit aims to firm up the collective direction and agenda of cooperating agencies from both the government and private sectors in the framing of the national multi-sectoral Philippine Silk Roadmap. This endeavor is a step ahead and integral to supporting the realization of the use of local silk at a 5% minimum in the Philippine Tropical Fabric (PTF). The theme “Mainstreaming the Philippine Silk” suitably connects every effort while keeping sustainability consciousness and community integration to the fore, and brings the Philippine silk to a whole new level.
