THERE ARE HUGE OPPORTUNITIES IN SILK PRODUCTION

THERE ARE HUGE OPPORTUNITIES IN SILK PRODUCTION

Silk is one of the world’s most ancient crafts, yet here in the Philippines, we have not really mastered it across the centuries. We take pride in our piña and abaca fabrics—and rightly so—but why not also supplement these native weaves with silk?

The numbers alone tell us how much we’re missing. Our country produces only about one metric ton of silk fabric each year, when our local demand is at least ten metric tons. That means we are producing barely 10 percent of what the market needs. The rest is filled by imports—sometimes smuggled—from China, Italy, and South Korea. Isn’t that a no-brainer opportunity for Filipino farmers and weavers?

Silk making is not rocket-science. Other countries with less natural wealth than ours have developed thriving sericulture industries. Surely our own people can learn to rear silkworms, harvest cocoons, and weave silk threads. The real issue is not capacity but will—both from government and from communities willing to take the leap.

I admit, I am personally biased toward silk, not only because of its beauty, but because it offers what I call a “3-in-1 livelihood potential.” From one mulberry tree, you get leaves for silkworms, berries for food and processing, and leaves again for mulberry tea, which is slowly finding a market among health-conscious consumers. That means multiple income streams from the same crop.

And here’s something even more interesting: mulberry trees can grow in the same soil where tobacco is cultivated. This opens an enormous opportunity for the Ilocos region and other tobacco-growing provinces. Why not help farmers diversify their income by growing mulberry alongside—or even in place of—tobacco? It could be part of a transition plan toward healthier, more sustainable crops.

My sense tells me we should also plant mulberry trees in areas where handloom weaving traditions already exist—among indigenous and Muslim communities that are keeping alive centuries-old textile crafts. Imagine if these communities could access locally produced silk instead of relying on expensive imports. The integration would be natural, and it could strengthen cultural preservation while creating livelihoods.

Of course, the question is: who should lead this effort? Should it be the Department of Agriculture (DA) because mulberry is a crop? Or the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) because silk is a textile? What about the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which could promote it under its One Town, One Product (OTOP) program? And then there’s the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), which already works with abaca and other natural fibers.

Somehow, I think the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) should also play a part. Since mulberry and tobacco can grow side by side, perhaps NTA can take the lead in introducing mulberry as an alternative or supplementary crop. In the long run, this could help farmers prepare for a future when tobacco demand may decline.

And let’s not forget the Design Center of the Philippines and the CITEM, both of which are already doing good work in supporting natural fibers and sustainable fabrics. Silk production is not just about farming; it’s about building a value chain—from leaf to loom, from weaver to market.

If you ask me, the supply and demand imbalance in Philippine silk is so ridiculous that it should already be attracting serious attention from policymakers. The domestic market is wide open. Whatever silk we produce will surely be consumed, either locally or abroad. And with proper branding, Filipino silk could even join the ranks of piña and abaca as part of our national identity.

The challenge now is to connect the dots: mulberry farming, silkworm rearing, weaving traditions, and market promotion. All the elements are there. What’s missing is coordination—and the political will to push silk production as a national livelihood strategy.

Silk has survived thousands of years as a fabric of elegance, resilience, and value. Isn’t it about time the Philippines gave it a more prominent place in our economy?

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

12-03-2025 

STOPPING PLUNDER AND LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

 STOPPING PLUNDER AND LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

(100% credit to Dr. Ted Mendoza)

By now, some of us have seen the shocking figures compiled by Dr. Ted Mendoza on alleged corruption and misuse of public funds during the current administration. Imagine—₱1.48 trillion possibly lost or misappropriated in just three years. The list includes questionable insertions in the General Appropriations Act, anomalies in flood control projects, and the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund. Add to those billions from PhilHealth, GSIS, SSS, and even small business recovery funds. If all these are true, we are not just talking about lapses but acts that could fall under the Anti-Plunder Law itself.

It is a good thing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is bringing this out into the open. In his speeches, he has linked corruption to disasters like flooding, pointing to anomalous projects that fail the people in their time of need. This is a welcome development. For once, the highest official in the land is saying plainly that corruption is real and must be stopped. It is a good trend that the President himself is leading the charge.

But then we must ask: will the President succeed? Hopefully, he could at least stop or weaken corruption during the rest of his term. The challenge is enormous because corruption in the Philippines has become systemic. It is deeply embedded not only in agencies but also in the political culture itself. Too many projects are designed not for public service but for private gain.

This is why the President cannot fight this battle alone. The Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and of course the Office of the Ombudsman must all work together. It is one thing for the President to denounce corruption, but another thing entirely to build airtight cases, prosecute, and convict those guilty of plunder.

The law is clear. Under Republic Act 7080, plunder involves amassing at least ₱75 million in ill-gotten wealth through a series of criminal acts. It is a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office. The Filipino people deserve to see this law in action—not just in textbooks or court archives, but in real life.

At the same time, let us not be naïve. Allegations of plunder on this scale raise the uncomfortable question of leadership accountability. Can anomalies of this magnitude happen without the knowledge—or at least the negligence—of those at the top? The doctrine of command responsibility, often cited in military contexts, should apply here too. If the President is serious about fighting corruption, he must welcome investigations even within his own circle. That is what real accountability looks like.

What can we, as citizens, do? Vigilance is key. Civil society groups, the media, and even schools and universities must keep pushing for transparency and justice. Every peso lost to corruption is a peso stolen from classrooms, hospitals, and disaster response funds. It is not enough to expose scandals; we must insist on recovering stolen wealth and putting plunderers behind bars.

If the figures Dr. Mendoza cites are anywhere near accurate, then the damage is massive—not only to public coffers but also to public trust. And once trust is lost, rebuilding it becomes harder than recovering the money itself. That is why this fight must be relentless, not selective, and not timed only for political convenience.

So yes, let us give credit to President Marcos for bringing the issue to light. But let us also hold him to his word. Speeches are not enough. What the people want to see are convictions, asset recoveries, and institutions strengthened against future abuse.

In the end, the choice is simple: either corruption continues to define our politics, or accountability begins to redefine our nation.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

12-02-2025