In an effort to boost the use of locally produced fabrics, the Department of Science and Technology has opened a facility that aims to produce yarns made of the country’s indigenous materials.

The Innovation Center for Yarns and Textiles (ICYT), costing roughly P54 million opened on May 25 in Bicutan, Taguig.

Science Secretary Mario Montejo said facility is DOST’s flagship effort at reviving the Philippine textile industry, thus encouraging highly-creative and world-class Filipino fashion designers to use local fabrics and textiles as material for clothing products.

Local and tropical products include pia, banana and abaca which are well-known fabrics used in apparel used during special occasions.

Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) director Celia Elumba said ICYT’s effort is committed in enabling production that meet the needs of customers and revitalizing the Philippines’ textile industry.

Elumba added PTRI has established partnerships with Power Fashion, the company behind local clothing brands like Unica Hija, Vise Versa, and Bayo, agreeing to use their locally-produced textile in their collections. John Lester Q. Alos, INQUIRER.net trainee / IDL