Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Local Government Unit (LGU) Maramag and Central Mindanao University (CMU), organized the culminating activity for the Bamboo Month celebration on September 30, 2022, at the Farmers’ Training Center.
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]
