Weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowerment

Are you looking for top-quality silk products that rival the finest in the world?

If your answer is yes, you should visit the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) to witness how a leading public university weaves excellence and changes lives.

And do you understand how much effort it takes to make your favorite silk products? Just imagine this:

• Silkworms need to consume 35 kilograms of mulberry leaves to produce 1 kilogram of cocoon

• 9 to 12 kilograms of cocoon are needed to produce one kg of raw silk

• one kilogram of thrown silk can produce 13 meters of silk cloth

• the length of a silk thread in a cocoon is 900 to 1,200 meters

Tucked away in the heart of Bacnotan, La Union, DMMMSU is home to one of the country’s centers of innovation, the Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI). Established on April 8, 1992, through Republic Act 7359, this leading institute has quietly spun threads of change, turning silk into a symbol of rural empowerment, scientific excellence and sustainable livelihood.

The science of sericulture

DMMMSU SRDI has long been the unquestioned leader in sericulture research. In 2014, it registered two improved mulberry varieties, Alfonso and S54, with the National Seed Industry Council. These varieties perform better under local conditions, thereby enhancing the genetic resources available to local sericulturists and advancing sustainable silk production in the country.

These new mulberry varieties are crucial for enhancing the growth, development and survival of silkworms. They also determine the quantity and quality of the cocoons produced, which in turn affect the productivity and commercial returns of silkworm rearing.

SDRI also pioneered and transformed silkworm breeding and genetic research in the country. It developed DMMMSU-SLB, the first sex-linked silkworm strain in the Philippines. This silkworm breed yields higher quantities of cocoons and produces silk of better quality.

Creativity and innovation

SRDI’s creative ingenuity is evident in the design, technology and innovation of its silk products. The institute has created 25 original silk fabric designs, produced two utility models for mulberry fruit wine and soap processing and developed a silk testing apparatus.

The DMMMSU-SRDI Eprouvette has obtained 10 copyrights recognized by the Intellectual Property Office. Its pioneering Suksuk Silk Fabric Designing Technology exemplifies the seamless fusion of cultural artistry and scientific precision.

Don’t let the scientific terminology intimidate you. It just indicates that DMMMSU silk products are of world-class quality. I wear silk barongs and give them as gifts during my international meetings. If you notice embassy officials, higher education ministers or foreign university presidents wearing a silk barong, it’s a clear sign that DMMMSU is making its mark on the global stage.

You can contact Elizabeth Obra at [email protected] to visit SRDI and avail of its products.

Empowerment and inclusive growth

But the most crucial impact of DMMMSU’s sericulture program lies in the improvement of the lives of people in the province.

I have seen how SRDI involved farmer-cooperators in managing silkworm rearing and cocoon harvesting. This has provided many families with a reliable secondary income, created rural employment opportunities and enhanced livelihood security.

The labor-intensive, community-based nature of sericulture encourages family participation, engaging women and young people as vital contributors to the industry. Because farmers are trained and upskilled, they acquire technical skills that result in higher cocoon yields, quality and productivity.

Beyond cocoon production, SRDI’s innovative use of silk by-products has sparked creativity, entrepreneurship and empowerment in rural communities. The Sericulture Handicrafts Producers’ Association (SHPA), the Silk Weavers’ Association (SWA) and the Sericulture Entrepreneurs’ Association (SEA) have helped local artisans transform cut cocoons into marketable crafts, earning them an income to meet household needs, support education and achieve financial stability.

In Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union, the Silk Weaving and Designing Program has enabled women to turn their artistry into a livelihood, producing 4,390 meters of silk fabric and earning P4.88 million in sales and P2.45 million in net income over eight years. This affirms the economic vitality of silk weaving as a women-led rural industry.

The sericulture program also promotes environmental sustainability. Mulberry cultivation supports soil conservation and sustainable land use. Silk is a natural, biodegradable fiber that provides a green alternative to synthetic textiles. In this way, SRDI’s work aligns with the growing global call for sustainable practices.

Leadership in sericulture research and development

I have urged SUCs to benchmark against DMMMSU before launching their own sericulture programs. Eleven HEIs – ASSCAT, USEP, CSU, ASU, UA, ASIST, TAU and Aldersgate College – are now collaborating with DMMSU to expand sericulture nationwide.

The SRDI has assisted the DOST Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) in developing the Philippine Silk Roadmap, a comprehensive plan to revive and modernize the silk industry nationwide.

In a world often dominated by fast fashion and fleeting trends, DMMMSU-SRDI reminds us that real progress is handcrafted – slow, steady and sustainable.

Indeed, the Sericulture Research and Development Institute of DMMMSU is weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowerment that continues to shine – one silkworm, one cocoon, one thread at a time.

A visit to the top public university in Northern Luzon – DMMMSU – is now a must to witness the weaving of a legacy of Filipino ingenuity.

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Email:  [email protected]