Ban on abaca harvest lifted.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Christine A. Gaylican

MALACANANG HAS LIFTED ITS ORDER banning the commercial use of abaca, the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) said yesterday.

The lifting of the ban was cheered by furniture and handicrafts industries that fought for the repeal of Executive Order No. 502 on grounds that it has adversely affected their industry.

The Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. noted that almost all of Cebus furniture manufacturers, which bring in export dollars, use abaca as a major raw material.

EO No. 502 was issued in a bid to halt the spread of diseases that pulled down the …