Pinoy Workers party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legazpi is calling on the House of Representatives to look into the current state of the Philippine ube industry amid declining local production despite growing global demand.
Legazpi filed House Resolution No. 1166 seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the challenges confronting the industry and the measures needed to strengthen its competitiveness.
According to the resolution, Philippine ube production dropped from more than 15,000 metric tons in 2021 to 12,483.31 metric tons in 2025, raising concerns over the country’s ability to meet demand and take advantage of emerging opportunities in both local and foreign markets.
Legazpi asked the House committee on agriculture and food to lead the investigation, saying the inquiry should not only assess the present condition of the ube industry but also recognize its cultural, agricultural, and economic importance.
He said the probe should examine the competitiveness of Philippine ube in the global market and identify measures that would help farmers, rural communities, and other stakeholders benefit from the crop’s growing popularity.
The proposed inquiry also seeks to gather government agencies, researchers, farmers, processors, exporters, and other industry players to craft practical solutions to increase production, improve farmer incomes, strengthen research and development, and expand opportunities for Philippine-grown ube locally and abroad.
“Ube production supports the livelihoods of farmers, workers, traders, processors, and small enterprises across the agricultural value chain and presents growing opportunities for rural economic development and export growth,” Legazpi said.
“Other countries such as Vietnam and China have invested in production systems, research and development, processing and export-oriented strategies for Ube and Ube-derived products, highlighting the need for the country to assess and strengthen its competitiveness in a rapidly growing global market,” he added.
Legazpi said ongoing research initiatives by the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center, the Philippine Genome Center for Agriculture, and other institutions show the need to further support research, propagation, and varietal improvement to increase yields, strengthen climate resilience, and improve the competitiveness of Philippine ube.
“Ube is more than just a popular Filipino dessert ingredient. It is part of our culture, our agricultural heritage, and one of the products most closely associated with the Philippines around the world. From traditional halaya to modern pastries, ice cream, and beverages, ube has become a symbol of Filipino identity and creativity,” Legazpi said in a statement.