By Kenneth Marcos 
In the quiet farmlands of Barangay Sua-Igot, Tabaco City, abaca growers gathered this week to learn how to better protect their crops from pests and diseases that threaten one of Bicol’s most valuable fiber industries.
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Region V, through its Albay Provincial Office, conducted a Training on Abaca Pest and Disease Management on October 21, 2025, led by Engr. Brent Baltzar R. Marbella and Engr. Jason G. Regalado. The activity aimed to equip farmers with practical skills and knowledge to stop the spread of abaca diseases in accordance with PhilFIDA’s Abaca Disease Management Protocol (ADMP).
During the training, experts demonstrated how to properly identify common symptoms of abaca diseases, use herbicides and insecticides safely, and apply the stick method, an effective eradication technique to remove and control infected plants. Farmers also received essential tools and materials such as knapsack sprayers, insecticides, and herbicides to help them maintain clean and pest-free fields.
PhilFIDA officials emphasized that preventing the spread of abaca diseases like bunchy top, mosaic, and stripe is crucial to sustaining the fiber’s quality and yield. Bicol remains one of the top abaca-producing regions in the Philippines, and protecting its plantations ensures continuous livelihood for thousands of local farmers.
Engr. Marbella highlighted that proper field sanitation and disease monitoring are key to maintaining healthy plantations. He added that empowering farmers through regular training helps strengthen the region’s fiber industry, which is a vital contributor to the national economy and export market.
The abaca industry, often called the “Manila hemp,” is a major source of income in Bicol. Its strong and eco-friendly fiber is used in making ropes, specialty papers, textiles, and biodegradable packaging materials. However, recurring pest infestations and plant diseases have caused production losses in recent years, prompting PhilFIDA to intensify its disease management efforts.
Through initiatives like this training, PhilFIDA continues to support the government’s goal of building a Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas by promoting resilient, disease-free abaca farming communities that can compete in both local and international markets.
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