Government-run Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), under the Department of Science and Technology has pioneered research into the uses of fibres made from pineapple, banana and Manila hemp, locally known as abaca.
The PTRI is trying to introduce large-scale commercial application of abaca in the private sector.
In a step towards making it a commercial success administration has instructed the state employees to wear uniforms derived from fruit and hemp products from March.
This effort will promote these local materials in the international market and help generate jobs.
The use of these materials will save millions of dollars in textile imports.