By RAFAEL S. SANTOS
The government announced it has lifted the restrictions on the trading of abaca through the issuance of Executive Order 538 that

will ensure the availability of this valued raw material to the Philippine furniture industry.

EO 538 repealed EO 502, which prohibited “harvesting, gathering, buying, selling and mutilating of matured and young leafsheaths of abaca plants [Musa textiles nee] for commercial purposes.”

The prohibitions under EO 502 were meant to prevent the spread of young abaca leafsheaths’ diseases, which have affected certain areas in Leyte and nearby areas, the trade department said.

Noting that the ban resulted in the disruption in the supply of raw materials that are used in the production of furniture, furnishing and handicrafts, thereby causing losses to stakeholders in these industries, the government issued EO 538 on July 4, 2013.

The government stressed that the withdrawal of the ban would not cause the public any harm as there are disease-free areas in the Philippines where abaca leafsheaths (also known as bakbak and umbak) can be sourced.

The EDC said it has also called on local governments of the affected areas of Leyte province to institute the Adopt-A-Barangay Project, which calls for the business sector to identify and help the barangays that are hit by the disease.

Abaca is a locally cultivated crop that is composed of hard fiber and is used for woven matting, carpeting, wall covering and also for making rope fixtures and furniture products. Abaca products are sourced by a significant chunk of the country’s handicraft exports.

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