Following the collapse of the prawn industry in the mid-80’s, an interesting industry slowly emerged in the early 90’s as dynamic and aggressive women entrepreneurs turned their expensive hobby into a multi-million profitable and enjoyable “sunshine” industry. This paved the way to the birth of the Floriculture Industry in the Province of Capiz. From an obscure industry, it grew to become one of the rapidly expanding agri-business sectors in the province today involving more than 5,000 stakeholders, florists, landscape artists, contractors, technologists, input providers, farm technicians and gardeners.

Western Visayas is located right at the center of the Philippines archipelago, and consist of the island of Panay and the western half of Negros. It is composed of six provices (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental ), 13 cities, 19 municipalities and 4,045 barangays. The chief cities in this region are Iloilo City, the regional capital, and Bacolod City. Existing major infrastructure includes four major airports, three major seaports, numerous passenger and cargo vessel ports, and municipal and private ports in all provinces. The most famous of the region’s white beaches is the island of Boracay, considered one of the world’s most beautiful. The province of Capiz, Aklan and Antique have caves of different sizes that can be explored. Centuries-old edifices and antique collectors may also be viewed in Iloilo and Bacolod. From the island of Guimaras come succulent mangoes, the country’s best selling national fruit.

KALIBO, Aklan – If Aklan’s Boracay Island is considered as a national treasurer, the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) bared that the province’s rich fiber industry is its other gem. FIDA Administrator Cecilia Gloria Soriano said that unknown to many, the fiber products of the province has reached the fashion streets of New York, a manifestation that the quality of Aklan fibers is golden. She cited Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap saying that a dresses sold in fashion stores in New York with materials coming from Aklan are sold as high as 5,000 US dollars. Soriano served as the keynote speaker of the 10th Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival both organized by the FIDA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This year’s celebration also coincided with the declaration of the United Nations that 2009 is the year of natural fibers. Aside from the New York fashion, the FIDA is also currently is coordinating with the city government of Marikina to try introducing natural fibers in its shoe industry and likewise promote the product to the Zobel de Ayala firms, although they are already regular patrons of the province’s fiber products.