Abaca, also known as Manila Hemp with the scientific name Musa textilis, is a natural leaf fiber species of banana grown as a commercial crop native in the country. Its leaf stems are harvested for its natural fiber that possesses valuable properties such as buoyancy, high porosity, high tensile and folding strength, and resistance to saltwater damage. According to Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), the Philippines, as the world’s top exporter of abaca, supplies 85 percent of the global abaca fiber production and earns US$80 million per year. Based on the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 2019, Bicol Region remained the top abaca producer with 28.94 thousand metric tons or 40.1 percent contribution to the total abaca production, followed by Eastern Visayas and Davao Region with 17.5 percent and 12.5 percent shares, respectively. Bicol Region also had the largest area planted for abaca, with 43.16 thousand hectares in 2019. With its durability, flexibility, and resistance to saltwater damage, it is commonly used in fishing lines and nets, ropes, and twines. Other applications of abaca involve its use as a material in manufacturing bags, carpets, diapers, pill coatings, textile, and surgical masks.