The Provincial Director of DTI Bukidnon, Ms. Famelah Racquel D. Villanueva, gave the opening remarks emphasizing the importance of bamboo as an alternative to wood and its potential in the market in the growing economy. She also pointed out the farmers’ livelihood and other opportunities with bamboo farming.

Three plenary speakers from Central Mindanao University were invited to share their knowledge and expertise on bamboo research and encouraged participants to appreciate the importance of bamboo. The event’s first speaker was Dr. Alex Olpenda, the project leader of the DOST Bamboo Niche Center in the Region R&D (NICER). His ongoing research is titled Technologically Enhanced and Managed (TEAM) Kawayan: A Geodatabase of Bamboo Nursery, Plantations, and Enterprise in Northern Mindanao.

Dr. Alex Olpenda briefly discussed the research. The discussion’s main focus was on the use of geodatabases in locating the areas where bamboo can easily grow and be nurtured.

The second speaker, Dr. Hazel E. Soliven, project staff of DOST Bamboo NICER, with the research title: A Geodatabase and Value Chain Analysis of the Bamboo Industry in Northern Mindanao, talked about the market value of bamboo, which is demanded more than ever before as a good timber substitute and a rainforest saver.

Lastly, Dr. Lowell Aribal, Program Leader of the Bamboo Research and Development Center, facilitated a facility tour and demonstration at Aribal’s Processing Center located at Dologon, Musuan, Bukidnon. During the tour, Dr. Lowell Aribal showcased the two different types of machines for bamboo processing and their uses, namely the Bamboo Cross Cutter Machine and the Bamboo Auto Splitter Machine.

Dr. Lowell Aribal stated that the center aims to build appropriate management and utilization technologies for economically essential bamboo species through novel and innovative research and development projects that promote inclusive growth, climate-proofing, sustainable development, and global competitiveness of the bamboo industry in the region.

The Philippine Bamboo Month Culmination Activity ended with a full day of knowledge and information sharing. It also educated and encouraged bamboo farmers to be more innovative in many ways to help them grow their farms and make them more profitable in the Philippine market. _{[Julie Bago]}

USec. Sancho A. Mabborang, the concurrent OIC- Regional Director and Undersecretary for Regional Operations, highlighted in an exclusive interview on his visit to NICER: “Establishing the Philippine Research Center for Bamboo” project and other DOST-funded projects at Central Mindanao University held on August 24, 2022.

USec Mabborang and his team were warmly greeted by Dr. Jose Alexander C. Abella -Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Emmanuel P. Leaño -NOMCAARRD Director, and other CMU key officials who participated in the meeting.

USec Mabborang visited CMU to conduct a courtesy call and assess various updates from the DOST-funded projects and program implementation. He would like to identify areas that need improvement and upgrading by seeing the situation on the ground.

“…we’d like to find out what they are doing in areas of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), and I’d also like to find out their relevance in the Regional Development Agenda (RDA) as well as to the National Development Agenda (NDA),” USec Mabborang added.

The team visited the Food Research and Development Center and was welcomed by Dr. Queenie Ann L. Curayag, Director, FRDC. Dr. Curayag showcased the center’s facilities and equipment and encouraged her to prepare another proposal for additional funding to enhance the center’s services. The next visit stopped at Tuklas-Lunas Center (Annex) with Dr. Reggie Y. Dela Cruz, Program Leader, discussing the highlights of their research endeavors.

Meanwhile, USec Mabborang applauded the researchers from Mindanao, “I went to region 10 and 12, napakaganda ng mga nakita ko.” He wanted to provide researchers with more facilities to produce competent research and have STI personnel.

He assured that he will lobby the concern to the Department of Science and Technology to have more funds for the region “…yong mga regions na hindi natin napapansin ay dapat pansinin natin at bigyan ng kaukulang tulong.”

Moreover, USec Mabborang visited the Bamboo NICER Center with Dr. Lowell G. Aribal, the Program, and Dr. Jupiter V. Casas, University Research Director and one of the Project Leaders. The discussion explored the future undertakings of the bamboo industry for research and development efforts for region 10. Dr. Casas also took advantage of handling the documents for the proposed establishment of the Philippine Research Center for Large Ruminant Infectious Diseases under the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program at Central Mindanao University.

Lastly, USec Mabborang also stressed that the entire exploratory visit in some areas in Mindanao could inspire, motivate, and empower the people [researchers] in Mindanao. His visit was accompanied by his wife, Ms. Victoria B. Mabborang, Dir. Sammy P. Malawan, DOST XII Regional Director, and his assistants, Mr. Rommel P. Simsel, SRS II, and Villamor P. Quilang, SRSII. (Maejoy L. Talisay)