Abaca Coalition witnessed the transfer of four abaca stripping machines to the communities of Maac, Mahayahay, Javier and Maria Plana in Sogod, Southern Leyte. The machine is designed and developed by the National Abaca Research Center based at the Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte. They were purchased through a research and development grant from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). With the use of the machine, four persons can harvest one hectare of abaca plantation in 7-8 days. The machine weighs only 93kg, can be dismantled and carried in areas not accessible by transportation. Composed of four moving parts, the machine can be fabricated or repaired in any metal shop. It can strip native abaca varieties by replacing stripping blades for variable quality, recovery, and output.