MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Office of Bukidnon 1st District Representative Jose Manuel "Joeman" Alba, conducted the 'Silyang Pinoy' training to enhance the skills of local furniture makers in the province.
Fifty-three participants worked together from July 11 to 16 to create the engineered bamboo boards that are essential parts for Silyang Pinoy. The same participants then received additional instructions on the actual production of Silyang Pinoy furniture from July 24 to 28 at the Bamboo Pavilion in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
After completing their training, they produced two tables and chairs designed for elementary school and another table and two chairs for secondary school. These products are now on display at the Bamboo Pavilion in Manolo Fortich.
Participants, trainers, and organizers of the Phase I Training on
engineered bamboo production at Bamboo Pavilion, Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. (JOD, GIP/ DOST 10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)
Silyang Pinoy is a set of versatile chairs and tables that could be transformed into other types of furniture. These chairs are engineered bamboo, which supports the government's initiative to encourage the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
This partnership between the 1st District of Bukidnon and DOST 10 will serve as the first Silyang Pinoy project in Northern Mindanao.
The participants' goal is to start producing Silyang Pinoy to meet the Department of Education's demand outlined in EO 879.
According to the executive order, 25 percent of public school tables and desks must be bamboo-made.
With the dedicated efforts of Cong. Alba, DOST-Bukidnon facilitated an activity that brought together local bamboo furniture artisans from the first district with specialists from the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI).
The event primarily aimed at offering specialized training in engineered bamboo techniques.
Silyang Pinoy samples crafted by the trainees after the 5-day bamboo furniture-making and skill-building sessions (JOD, GIP/ DOST 10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)
“Nowadays, there are ongoing issues of tree-cutting because we can still see hardwood furniture items not just in a mall but even in rural areas. Hence, we are actively campaigning for engineered bamboo to address tree-cutting issues. We advocate backyard bamboo processing because we want to create more furniture makers utilizing bamboo as a sustainable alternative to hardwood,” Alba said.
DOST is committed to promoting innovation and sustainability in the bamboo industry to help furniture manufacturers build a prosperous future for Bukidnon.
A public hearing concerning the commercialization of Silyang Pinoy has been scheduled in Manolo Fortich this August. (Junamae O. Digal/GIP/ DOST 10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)
Bukidnon 1st District Representative Jose Manuel "Joeman" Alba and staff, with DOST-Bukidnon Provincial Director Ritchie Mae L. Guno at the bamboo poles stock area at the Bamboo Pavilion, Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. (JOD, GIP/ DOST 10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)
