Pera sa Dahon ng Pinya!

Over four years ago when I was Agriculture Secretary, a Spanish scientist and designer came to my office to ask for my support for a very unique project she had initiated – making shoes out of Pineapple leaves.

The vegan leather she produced was called Piñatex and I was amazed at the innovation that we launched the program in Malacañang 4 months later with President Rodrigo Duterte in attendance.

To support the project, sets of decorticating equipment were distributed to different groups in pineapple producing areas.

Then, they were linked up with the Spanish designer, Carmen Hijosa, who bought the Pineapple fibers.

I forgot all about the project until last week when I visited Manolo Fortich, one of the towns which received the decorticating equipment.

I was delighted to know from Joeie Caesar Gaid, one the recipients of the DA equipment that the production of Piña fibers still continues until today.

They were able to sustain the project because of a reliable partner.

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!