MANILA - Several senators on Monday urged the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority to enhance the country's cotton production so that local weavers will no longer have to import the raw material.
"Kaya kita sinasabihan na i-improve 'yung cotton kasi gusto ko naman mag-weave ng local," Villar told PhilFIDA officials. Sen. Imee Marcos said loomers from the Ilocos Region have also been relying on imported cotton to create traditional textiles.PhilFIDA Executive Director Kennedy Costales said farmers have been discouraged to plant the local variety of cotton as these are prone to bullworm infestation.
There is a ban on the importation of Bt cotton, a genetically-modified version of the weaving fiber, he said.