Jurisdiction Philippines | ||
Formed July 27, 1981; May 30, 1997 Agency executive Clarito M. Barron, PhD CESO IV, OIC-Executive Director Parent agency Department of Agriculture Website | ||
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority or PhilFIDA (Filipino: Pangasiwaan sa Pagpapaunlad ng Industriya ng Hibla) is an agency of the Philippine Department of Agriculture responsible for promoting the accelerated growth and development of the fiber industry in the Philippines, such as abaca, also known as Manila hemp.
PhilFIDA was created by Executive Order No.709 on July 27, 1981 (during Martial Law) to promote the growth and development of the fiber industry in all its aspects including research, production, processing, marketing and trade regulation. It is headed by an administrator who is assisted by two deputy administrators and supported by nine divisions and ten regional offices.
The Philippines provided 87.4% of the world's abaca in 2014, earning the Philippines US$111.33 million. The demand is still greater than the supply. The Bicol region produced 27,885 metric tons of abaca in 2014, the largest of any Philippine region. Over 122,000 farmers farmed 176,594 hectares of abaca in 2014.