DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- The Davao Fashion and Design Council, the country’s only business support organization for fashion and design, is eyeing the development and promotion of tropical fibers indigenous to Davao Region.

According to renowned Dabawenyo fashion designer and DFDC president Emi Alexander Englis, the group is partnering with the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) to  provide sustainability services in terms of performance testing and the development of new weaves

“These will include natural fibers like abaca, piña and cotton. It will be to blend and test them for performance in terms of optimizing their uses for apparels and homestyle products,” Englis said.

Englis cited PTRI research on bamboo particularly the 13 bamboo species found in Davao Region to be utilized as weaves.

“Last year, we identified 13 species of the bamboo that have been studied by the PTRI and they were able to weave 13 different materials from these species of bamboo," Englis said.

They are currently creating an inventory of the artisan weaving communities and the natural fiber resources found in the region.

“We have abaca used by our indigenous peoples, a few of cotton, a few of piña, a few of banana. Then there is the current study on the available species of bamboo in the region,” Englis said.

of the country’s creative industries by protecting, strengthening the rights and capacities of creative industry players which include fashion design.

Arriel Nengasca, DTI-11 Division Chief and who coordinates PCIDA related programs in the region, said creative sectors like fashion design are active in helping jumpstart the development of the creative industries in Davao Region.

“We already started the ball rolling for the development of the creative industries in Davao Region in 2023. We are very hopeful that we will come up with many activities for the creative industries In 2024,” Nengasca said.

Included in the creative industries are the various artists, artisans, indigenous cultural communities, bloggers, content providers and other relevant sectors.

“Here in the region, we adopt the pentahelix platform of collaboration. We bring in the government, industry, academe, industry association, civil society organizations and even the media including the PIA (Philippine Information Agency) . They are very needed,” Nengasca said.

Under this creative industry pentahelix, Englis also bared that one of the flagship programs of DFDC this year is the Bloom Project that brings together a more specific and cleaner niche for Davao fashion.

One of the niches they are looking at is Luxe Resort Wear fashion which fits the region since Davao is blessed with a beautiful coastline home to beaches and resorts.

“This will be some sort of a branding because Davao Region is also positioning artisanal weaving as its niche and we would like to take it from artisanal weaving to make more viable mainstream products and services in terms of fashion and design,” Englis said.

According to Englis, right after the Davao Weaving Congress they (DFDC) have already submitted proposals to DTI for funding under the PCIDA program. The proposal will include pushing forward initiatives under the Bloom Project.

Nengasca said that this year (2024), DTI has an allocation of P200 million for the creative industries as part of the PCIDA and they are currently inviting creative sectors to send proposals.

“Para saan tong proposals (what are these proposals for)? This is to fund your project either a capacity building for your sector, and then come up with a showcase through an exhibit or fashion show like the proposal of Emi (Englis),” Nengasca said. (RGA/PIA Davao)