DoST-PTRI taps 1,765 schools for textile growth

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DoST-PTRI) is mobilizing 1,765 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide to strengthen the country's textile industry through expanded textile science education and research.

The initiative seeks to address the lack of dedicated textile science programs in Philippine colleges and universities, despite their existing offerings in disciplines related to the textile supply chain.

A nationwide DoST-PTRI assessment found that 71 institutions offer programs related to textile raw materials, 646 cover product development, while 1,048 support supply chain systems such as fiber cultivation, machinery and logistics.

However, none of the identified HEIs currently offers a curriculum solely dedicated to textile science.

DoST-PTRI officer-in-charge Evangeline Flor P. Manalang said the institute hopes to work with academic institutions to develop a standardized textile curriculum that will expose students to the science and technology behind Philippine textiles.

The initiative was unveiled during the first joint Global Textile Congress and Philippine Textile Congress 2026 at the University of the Philippines Diliman, alongside the launch of TELAkademi and the Philippine Textile Consortium.

The consortium seeks to formalize partnerships with higher education institutions, with nearly 60 schools expected to join. It will support curriculum development, joint research, laboratory linkages, technical assistance, degree programs and hands-on training.

DoST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development executive director Julius L. Leaño Jr. called for a united effort to strengthen the local textile sector.

“Our competitive advantage is not only in the natural resources that we have, but also in our ingenuity and capacity to look beyond our adversities. If we come together, align our aspirations, and rally behind a common cause, we can give the Philippine textile industry a very different future,” he said.

Meanwhile, TELAkademi will serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, covering developments in materials science, textile engineering, production technologies and innovation.

DoST-PTRI's academic development roadmap includes courses and university partnerships in textile materials, textile chemistry, dyes and colorants, nonwoven textiles, textile and fabric design, and textile analysis through 2028.

The institute also provides thesis co-advising, joint research assistance worth up to P200,000 for graduate students, laboratory services and a mobile textile laboratory.

The program also aims to promote the use of local agricultural materials in sustainable, value-added textile products and encourage young Filipinos to support Telang Pinoy and recognize the contributions of farmers, weavers and other industry practitioners.

The initiative comes as global textile trade is projected to grow by 4.2 percent annually through 2033, presenting an opportunity for the Philippines to strengthen its domestic supply chain and reverse recent declines in apparel exports.