Legarda pushes for the passage of Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act

Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, renewed her call for urgent passage of the Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act during her sponsorship speech at the plenary on September 29, 2025.

Legarda, the principal author of the measure, stated that the bill will ensure lasting support for Aklan’s centuries-old piña weaving tradition, which UNESCO inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 2023.

“In the Philippines, weaving is not just a craft. It is a living thread that binds our identity, tells our stories, and breathes life into our communities,” Legarda said.

The four-term senator emphasized that among the many weaving traditions that enrich Filipino heritage, piña stands out as the “Mother of all Philippine Textiles” and the “Queen of Philippine Handwoven Textiles.”

The piña weaving began in Aklan in the 1570s. Over the years, local artisans have developed the skill of turning fibers from the red Spanish pineapple, known as pinya bisaya, into fabric.

Legarda noted that UNESCO’s inscription of piña weaving affirmed to the world that Philippine heritage is not a static relic of the past but a living tradition that continues to inspire. She emphasized, however, that recognition alone is not enough to preserve the craft.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that this weaving tradition, will not only survive, but also flourish,” Legarda said.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish an Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Center in Kalibo that will train young people under the guidance of master weavers, support piña farmers, advance research and design innovation in weaving, and strengthen the links between the craft, tourism, and creative markets. Legarda stressed that the proposed center will safeguard traditional skills while empowering local communities with new opportunities.

“By passing this measure, we safeguard not only a centuries-old tradition but also its future as a living heritage, a source of pride, and a viable livelihood,” Legarda concluded.