A state-of-the-art joint laboratory facility for the research and development (R&D) of bamboo is being established to upscale bamboo research and capacitate Filipino and Chinese researchers for the benefit of the Philippine and Chinese bamboo industries.
The joint facility will be established through the Philippines-China Joint Program, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and Jiangxi Academy of Forestry (JAF) of the People’s Republic of China on August 9, 2023. The MOA signing was held at the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), which serves as the funding and monitoring agency of several bamboo projects being implemented by DOST-FPRDI.
Present and representing both agencies in the MOA were DOST-FPRDI Director Romulo Aggangan and JAF President, Professor Yang Jiefang. The joint laboratory will be established in both countries, one based at DOST-FPRDI in the Philippines and one based at JAF in China. The new laboratories are vital to the continuous development of technologies, capacity building of researchers, scientific cooperation, and technical support between the two countries. The funding for the China-based laboratory is currently being secured by JAF, while the Philippine-based laboratory will be funded by DOST-PCAARRD.
DOST-PCAARRD, headed by Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora and Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services Melvin B. Carlos, witnessed the MOA signing. They were accompanied by members of the DOST-PCAARRD Director’s Council: Dr. Nimfa K. Torreta, Officer-in-Charge of the Forestry and Environment Research Division and Dr. Lilian G. Bondoc, Director of the Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division.
DOST upholds its support for the program through a Letter of Cooperation Support in the establishment of the Philippines-China Bamboo Joint R&D Laboratory signed by DOST Undersecretary for R&D Leah J. Buendia. DOST recognizes the importance of honing talents and developing technologies to accelerate the highly efficient utilization of bamboo resources and increase the income of farmers.
As the Council managing the funding of agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) R&D, DOST-PCAARRD has already allocated P15 million for the first three parallel bamboo projects currently being implemented by DOST-FPRDI. The bamboo postharvest and processing projects include: 1) Bamboo ACTIVE Ph: Activated Carbon Through Innovation for the Vulnerable sectors and the Entrepreneurs in the Philippines; 2) Bamboo LEAF Ph: Leaf Extracts Active Formulations from the Philippines; and 3) Bamboo LIQUOR Ph: Local innovation for Quality Use as Organic Pesticide Resource in the Philippines. These projects are similarly being undertaken in China. Projects were conceptualized through a series of meetings and consultations between DOST-PCAARRD, DOST-FPRDI, and JAF to ensure proper harmonization in the promotion of research and technologies.
These latest developments of the program are agreed upon between JAF and DOST-PCAARRD through a signed memorandum of understanding held in September 2021 to establish a long-term and stable partnership between research institutes in the Philippines and China.
Read: Phl, China Sign MOU to Strengthen Bamboo and Rice Technology Cooperation