Pampanga’s bamboo development project in full swing

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- In its bid to fully explore and tap the potentials of bamboo processing and utilization technology, the Pampanga Bamboo Development Council (PBDC) recently conducted a three-day technology forum and dialogue with concerned business establishments, government agencies and other stakeholders in the province.
Dubbed Technology Forum and Dialogue on Bamboo Processing and Utilization Technology, the activity was spearheaded by the Council’s technical working group for marketing and processing in line with the provincial government’s on-going bamboo development project.
According to Mary Michelle Quiambao, provincial head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and member of the TWG on marketing and processing, the forum’s participants were briefed by Marietta Ocampo, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist’s (OPA) planning division on the salient points of the Pampanga bamboo development plan which aims to realize the full potential of planting and producing bamboo to maximize its commercial and environmental benefits.
Quiambao said that during the activity, Robert Natividad, Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) chief of mechanical processing and product development division, presented the various components of bamboo as a raw material and its local sources and distribution; technologies of FPRDI in bamboo processing and utilization including bamboo treatment, drying and bending, products, processing equipment and finishing facilities.
A technical presentation on bamboo engineered products was made by Dr. Rico Jariel Cabangon, FPRDI’s chief of the engineered products section while Ma. Cielito Sindalan, FPRDI’s chief of technology promotions and industry relation section of the technical services staff, presented the Institute’s various services which the participants could avail themselves of.
Quiambao, on the other hand, briefed the participants on the DOST’s Small (Micro,Small and Medium) Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) which provides assistance to target enterprises in the province.
After these presentations, the participants then underwent a science and technology action planning workshop facilitated by Forester Medardo Centeno, also of FPRDI.
Representing 11 manufacturing companies based in the Cities of Angeles and San Fernando, Calibutbut in Bacolor, Concepcion in Lubao, and other member-agencies of the TWG such as Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO), OPA and DOST, the group identified the specific technical assistance and services they need relative to the bamboo development project.
Among the services requested are technical assistance on bamboo treatment, drying and bending, product development, identification, evaluation and acquisition of processing equipment, wood finishing and installation of finishing spray booth.
An on-site dialogue with six firms who signified interest for a one-on-one consultation was conducted during which the following technical concerns were raised: identification of bamboo’s right maturity for processing, drying schedule, cold and hot bending techniques, lamination techniques, preservation and treatment and required processing equipment.
One of the forum’s participants, Alberto Dizon of Calfurn Manufacturing Philippines, Inc., said that he “appreciates the conduct of the said activity as he looks forward to new products that will be developed and launched in the export market.”
Dizon added that especially during these tough times of global competition, continuous product development is a must for manufacturing firms.
Jack Tungul, officer of the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) – Pampanga Chapter, shared Dizon’s appreciation of the PBDC-sponsored activity as he requested the DOST’s full support in the Chamber’s upcoming project.
Other firms which participated in the said activity were Beng Designs, Distinctive Designs Inc., Vivere Lifestyles Company Inc., Diseño Pacifico Furniture and Currey International Inc., all in Angeles City; Country Accents Inc. and Aquino Basket Shop, both in Calibutbut, Bacolor; RSU Furniture in the City of San Fernando; Mallari’s Nursery Furniture in Concepcion, Lubao; South Sea Veneer Inc. and More Than a Chair Inc. in Mabalacat.
Quiambao assured the participants that all science and technology interventions requested during the said activity will be included in the Provincial Bamboo Development Plan and also in the DOST-Pampanga’s targets for 2010. (www.pampangacapitol.com)