Question & AnswerQ&A (FIDA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 19, S. 2004)
Fiber refers to the raw material only and not fibers partially or entirely manufactured. It is interpreted according to its common and commercial significance rather than its scientific meaning.
Decorticated Banana means banana fibers extracted through the use of a mechanical device or a decorticator.
The official standard grades are: DB-1 (Decorticated Banana Good), DB-2 (Decorticated Banana Fair), and DB-Y (Decorticated Banana Residual).
The four qualities that determine the grade are tensile strength, cleaning, color, and length.
Tensile strength is the basic quality for all normal grades; the fiber must possess the average strength considered normal for its grade. It can be assessed by hand-pulling tests and ocular observation.
Good Cleaning means the fiber has very little pulp attached due to proper and careful decorticating. Fair Cleaning means some pulp and scales are still attached, indicating less thorough decorticating.
Normal grades have colors ranging from beige white to dark brown. Fibers with discoloration due to improper drying or malpractices are graded as DB-Y.
The normal fiber length ranges from 0.80 meter to 1.2 meters. Fibers less than 0.80 meter are graded as DB-Y.
DB-1 fiber is of good cleaning, color ranges from beige white to light brown, free from streaks, and of normal length.
Fibers that are discolored, weak in tensile strength, soiled or stained with dirt or mud, or less than 0.80 meter in length fall under DB-Y.
It took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation or official gazette.
The order was approved by Secretary Arthur C. Yap of the Department of Agriculture.