‘Gov. babalik po ako dito… gusto kong maglagay ng mga maitatanim nating mga hibla rin—wala pong gagastusin ang gobyerno dun’ - USEC Atienza during 7th Bodong Festival kick-off

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Department of Agriculture Undersecretary and Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) head Arnold Atienza assured local officials and residents that the national government will return to Kalinga to help expand fiber crop production in the province.

Usec. Atienza made the commitment while addressing iKalinga leaders and stakeholders during the official kick-off of the 7th Bodong Festival and the 31st Founding Anniversary of Kalinga on February 2 at Capitol Park.

In his message, Atienza praised the beauty and authenticity of iKalinga culture and its woven textiles but noted that despite their quality, only a limited number are being sold.

“Nagulat ako dahil napakaganda pala ng lugar ninyo—napakaganda ng kultura ng Kalinga. Nakikita ko ang mga kasuotan ninyo, napakaganda—ang tanong ko, sino ang bumibili? Konti pa lang po sa nakikita ko,” he said, adding that the situation highlights the need for new programs that would enable indigenous products to enter international markets.

He also said he plans to return to the province to support the expansion of fiber crop planting to strengthen local production, assuring provincial officials that the national government would shoulder the costs of the initiative.

“Kaya ang masasabi ko lang, Gov., babalik po ako dito dahil gusto kong maglagay ng mga maitatanim nating mga hibla—madadagdagan natin. Wala pong gagastusin ang gobyerno doon, kami na po ang bahala,” he said.

The DA undersecretary further stressed that although the Philippines supplies about 87 percent of the world’s abaca—a natural fiber derived from leaf stalks of plants native to the country—it is largely exported in raw form, generating minimal returns and leaving farmers with the smallest share of the profit.

Atienza added that locals will need training to transform their woven products into value-added goods for wider markets, increasing family incomes while boosting the province’s overall earnings.

“Kaya nga pag bumalik kami dito, sabi ko nga kay Gov., magtuturo kami—training of trainers. Sa simula mahihirapan talaga tayo, pero sa nakikita ko sa mga suot ninyo, sigurado akong sanay na kayong gumawa niyan—marunong na kayo. Pero mas maganda sana kung magkaroon tayo ng training para yung mga ginagawa natin ay hindi lamang para sa atin; dapat po maibenta natin sa ibang bansa para mas tumaas ang kikitain ng mga pamilya dito sa Kalinga,” he added.

Atienza expressed optimism for Kalinga’s fiber industry, saying that with proper training and sustained support, local weavers and farmers could turn their skills and products into sustainable livelihoods while expanding into international markets.