Alternative materials for wood for the handicrafts, furniture, and construction industries are very much in demand. One of such materials is bamboo.

The high demand for bamboo is brought about by the scarcity of wood due to the depletion of timber resources and the strict implementation of Executive Order No. 23 that bans logging in natural forest.

The growing interest in bamboo as wood alternative can lead to overharvesting, material wastage, and other unsustainable practices.

With the growing importance of bamboo, there is a need to strengthen capacity for operating the whole business of producing, harvesting, processing and marketing the said product while ensuring the sustainability of its resources and the enterprises that depend on it.

To address this concern, the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted a training-workshop.

Twenty-seven participants representing various agencies and bamboo farm owners from different regions attended the five-day training workshop titled, “Sustainable Small and Medium-Scale Bamboo Enterprises for the Green Economy.”

Dr. Ramon A. Razal and Prof. Rosalie C. Mendoza, both are professors of the Department of Forest Products and Paper Science of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB), served as the overall facilitators for the training-workshop.

The facilitators imparted to the participants various skills and techniques in establishing and marketing sustainable bamboo enterprises through lectures and hands-on training about nursery establishment and bamboo plantation development, bamboo innovations for entrepreneurship, and marketing of bamboo-based products, among others.

“The training-workshop provided us new knowledge on the production of various bamboo products such as charcoal, musical instruments, furniture, wood carvings, and even food from bamboo shoots,” Visayas State University instructor Andy Phil said.

Participants from the private sector, on the other hand, said that they appreciated the training course because of the topics on marketing and cost-benefit analysis of bamboo-based products.

In support of PCAARRD’s capability building and R&D governance banner program, the training-workshop aimed to provide the participants knowledge on the use of bamboo for its various products, while sustaining our bamboo resources for a greener economy (Eirene Grace C. Zaragoza, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).

Science is moving front and center in the country’s march toward progress
and modernization, if the winners of the 2018 TOYM or Ten Outstanding Young
Men Philippines are any indication.

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, chair of the 2018 TOYM Board of
Judges, made this observation on the occasion of the announcement of the
awardees at Romulo Café in Makati City. He noted that of the 11 total
winners, six are in the science fields or have backgrounds in those areas.

They are Ms. Cherrie Atilano in Agribusiness, DOF Undersecretary Karl
Kendrick Chua in Economic Development, Mr. Rodne Galicia in Environment and
Climate Change, Ms Erika Fille Legara in Education Innovation, and Dr
Katerina Leyritana and Dr. Mark Anthony Sandoval in the field of Medical
Science.

Distinguished personalities such as Dr. Nassef Manabilang Adiong for
Political and Social Services, Ms Jamela Alindogan for International
Journalism, Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy, Police Officer 2 Fatima
Lanuza, and Mr. Jaton Zulueta for Community Development complete the 2018
TOYM awardees.

“The 2018 awardes have all been carefully selected because of their
leadership, motivation, achievements, and service despite their youth,”
said Secretary de la Peña. “Yet it is equally important to note majority of
them are in fields that are largely science-based, facts-driven, and fueled
by research.”

He added this is a clear indication of the direction the Philippines is
headed as far as driving change and progress is concerned.

The Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines was launched in 1959
to honor the country’s men and women under the age of 40 who have made a
difference in our society. Its past winners have since become champions and
leaders especially in industry and public service. (Alan C. Taule,
DOST-STII)

Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña of the Department of Science and
Technology (seated, third from left) noted that six of the 11 awardes of
the 2018 Ten Outstanding Young Men came from the fields of sciences. Others
in photo are (L-R seated) Margie Morna-Floirendo, chairperson of the
Cultural Center of the Philippines; Chaye Cabal-Revilla, treasurer of the
TOYM Foundation, Inc., Sec. de la Peña; Bienvenido Tantoco III, president
of the TOYM Foundation,Inc; Manny Pangilinan, chairperson of the TOYM
Foundation, Inc; Rey Felix Rafols, national president of the Junior Chamber
International Philippines, Crispin Dy, director of the TOYM Foundation; and
Emmanual Bonoan, vice chair and COO of KPMG Consulting Philippines.

Others in photo are (standing, L-R): Vincent Chot Reyes, president of the
TV5 Network Inc; Alegria Linjoco, president of the Philippine Chamber of
Commerce and Industry;

Herman Basbano, president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas;
and TOYM awardees Kate Leyritana, Jamela Alindogan, Mark Anthony Sandoval,
Erika Legara, Jaton Zulueta Jr., Cherrie Atilano, Fatima Lanuza, Rodne
Galicha, and Karl Kendrick Chua, with Mark Joseph David, national chair of
the TOYM search committee. (Photo grabbed from the Facebook page of Cherrie
Atilano)