DOST highlights bamboo initiatives during summit

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the country’s bamboo industry during a two-day Bamboo Summit in Cebu held recently, bringing together national agencies, local stakeholders, and international partners to strengthen collaboration and explore carbon credit opportunities.

DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, representing Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., said the summit aims to showcase ongoing bamboo initiatives while opening doors for global partnerships to expand the sector.

Under the government’s quadrant strategy, Mindanao has been designated as the country’s bamboo hub due to its favorable growing conditions, while the Visayas focuses on the blue economy.

Mabborang emphasized that bamboo remains a priority commodity nationwide, with DOST pushing research, propagation, and product development initiatives through agencies such as the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI).

DOST also committed to strengthening Cebu’s bamboo furniture industry by expanding furniture testing laboratories to improve product standards and global competitiveness. Currently, Cebu hosts the only satellite furniture testing laboratory outside Laguna, operating in coordination with FPRDI.

A major highlight of the summit was the exploration of carbon credit mechanisms for bamboo farmers. DOST is coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, and Climate Change Commission to establish a committee that will oversee carbon credit systems and ensure benefits reach grassroots stakeholders.

DOST-7 Regional Director Tristan Abando and Cebu Provincial Director Brian Ibañez underscored the importance of sustained collaboration, emphasizing that the summit marks a step toward translating years of discussions into concrete programs for farmers and industry players.

Officials said the Bamboo Summit reinforces Cebu and Central Visayas’ strategic role in creative industries, furniture manufacturing, and sustainable innovation, positioning the Philippines as a competitive player in climate finance and green development.

Meanwhile, DOST-7 also formally launched the Central Visayas Smart AgriTech Hub and the Central Visayas Regional Innovation Hub last Wednesday, March 4, at the agency’s S&T Complex in Lahug.

The launch was led by officials of the DOST Regional Office VII as part of the agency’s continuing rollout of innovation facilities under the OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All program.

Mabborang highlighted that the country now has 82 innovation hubs designed to provide spaces where Filipino innovators can develop ideas and turn them into viable projects and startups.

The Central Visayas Regional Innovation Hub will operate under the “4Is Strategy”, Inspire, Interact, Ideate, and Initiate, which provides a structured pathway for innovators from idea generation to startup formation.

Mabbarong also acknowledged the support of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, citing its partnership with DOST to strengthen linkages among government, industry, and the startup sector.

He said the government has allocated around ?140 million this year to support the country’s innovation hubs, with funding aimed at improving facilities and creating environments conducive to research, collaboration, pitching, and product development.

DOST officials said the combined initiatives now form a strategic innovation ecosystem in Central Visayas, integrating smart agriculture at the community level, startup development at the provincial level, frontier technology innovation at the regional level, and advanced manufacturing capabilities at the industrial level.

The Central Visayas Smart AgriTech Hub serves as the regional center for the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry Project implemented by DOST in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Mabbarong also cited data from the Department of Finance showing that Central Visayas recorded a 7.3% economic growth rate in the past two years, making it the fastest-growing regional economy in the country and surpassing the performance of the National Capital Region. — Meg Nathalie Valeros/UP Cebu intern (FREEMAN)