DoST, Vintar Ilocos Norte opens Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center to boost local textile industry
The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the municipality of Vintar in Ilocos Norte on Friday officially launched the Regional Yarn Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) of the region to strengthen the local textile industry by helping local weavers and other stakeholders meet their demand for quality yarn.
“The launch of RYPIC here in Ilocos Norte represents a revolutionary milestone, which will undoubtedly reach far beyond the borders of this province, promoting regional growth and national progress,” said DoST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. during the presentation ceremony in mixed English and Filipino.
The new small-scale spinning center processes natural textile fibers (NTFs), such as abaca, banana, pineapple, bamboo, and cotton, into high-quality NTF-bonded fibers. It also has in-house dyeing and finishing capabilities and has a basic yarn testing laboratory to ensure product quality and consistency.
The facility’s infrastructure was funded by the Vintar municipal government, while the advanced textile technology used to produce the yarn was provided by the DoST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DoST-PTRI). It will be used by a wide range of textile engineers, technicians, and scientists.
Since its launch in November last year, the facility has produced 1,000 kilograms of cotton fabric, which will be distributed to local weavers in the region.
This facility, the largest among the four RYPICs in the country in terms of building size and production capacity, can produce about 50 to 75 kilograms of yarn per day. It is expected to generate between P25 and P72 million in annual revenue, DoST-PTRI said.
DoST-PTRI Director Julius L. Leaño Jr. he said the establishment of the center can support at least 860 handloom communities and 56 handloom communities in the Ilocos Region, which is the second largest in the country after the Cordillera.
During the launch, several key government officials from the region expressed their support and appreciation for the creation of RYPIC.
Vintar Mayor Richard A. Degala noted that the facility strengthens the municipality’s sustainable livelihood programs.
“RYPIC is a great blessing that will help us achieve our goals and aspirations,” said Mr. Degala delivered his keynote address in Filipino, talking about the municipality’s livelihood programs.
“RYPIC will serve as a bridge to a bright future in our production of quality yarn and textiles, not only in the municipality of Vintar but also in the entire Ilocos Region and Luzon,” he added.
RYPIC also supports Republic Act No. 9242, or the Philippine Tropical Textiles Act, which mandates the use of natural fiber-based fabrics in government uniforms.
After the launch of this facility, we are expected to go through the following phases, including the verification of the technology system and business installation (Phase 2), full commercialization or licensing (Phase 3), and expansion and promotion (Phase 4). – Edg Adrian A. Eva
