In Ilocos Norte, Filipino weaving is getting a modern push without losing its cultural soul.
The Department of Science and Technology has opened the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center, a facility designed to support local weavers, textile producers, and entrepreneurs through modern yarn production equipment, research, and innovation.
The center aims to help weaving communities improve productivity, create more livelihood opportunities, and make local textiles more competitive while preserving traditional Filipino weaving practices.
For DOST, the project is not only about technology. It is also about keeping heritage alive and giving artisans the tools to carry their craft into the future.
During the launch, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said textiles hold stories that go beyond their practical use.
“As we launch the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) in Ilocos Norte, let us remember that textiles are more than commodities. They are stories woven into fabric—stories of our struggles, our identity, and our triumphs,” Solidum said.
The DOST said the yarn innovation hub reflects its continuing effort to bring science, technology, and innovation closer to traditional industries.
By combining modern production support with local craftsmanship, the center is expected to help sustain the country’s weaving heritage while opening new opportunities for communities built around the craft.