The Philippine government has vowed to support the country's natural rubber (NR) industry and has signed a new agreement to support the local Rubber Research Institute (PRRI).

As part of the agreement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will support PRRI's construction of a new "NR facility" on a seven-hectare plot of land in Sibugay, Zamboanga, the country's "rubber capital".

On 13 June, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the land would be used to build research and development units for the rubber industry.

In addition, the agreement will allow the PRRI to use the existing rubber testing laboratory in Zamboanga Sibugay and extend the tenure of the institute.

During the signing ceremony, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. pledged to "continue to work together for the advancement of the rubber industry."

He added: "We reaffirm our commitment to ensure accurate, efficient and effective public services for the industry."

PRRI (Philippine Rubber Research Institute) was established in 1975 to promote the Philippine rubber industry through research and development programmes.

According to the agriculture agency, the institute has recently been addressing rubber tree diseases while "ensuring a steady increase in rubber prices."

It is also responsible for encouraging rubber planting and processing by providing technical support and promoting modern technology.

The Institute currently supports the livelihoods of 700,000 rubber farmers in the country.