NBSC, DOST ADVANCE ENGINEERED BAMBOO FACILITY WITH KEY EQUIPMENT TURNOVER
A comprehensive project monitoring review and official machinery handover marked a major milestone for the local engineered bamboo initiative, with Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) playing a central role in the collaboration. The high-level update meeting was held on May 12, 2026, at the Research Development and Innovation Division (RDID) Office, bringing together key institutional administrators and community partners to assess the status of the ongoing project titled “Utilization of DOST-FPRDI Technology in the Establishment of Engineered Bamboo Processing Facility in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon-D1”.
The evaluation was led by Ms. Ritchie Mae L. Guno, Provincial Science and Technology Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Provincial Office of Bukidnon. She met extensively with the NBSC project team – composed of Project Research Leader Ms. Niñan Grace L. Paña; RDID Director Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa; Community Extension Services Division (CESD) Director Mr. Alven L. Gomez; and Institute for Business Management (IBM) Extension Coordinator Mr. Julius S. Gabinete. Natural Green Association (NGA) Chairman Mr. Bobby Baliling also participated to represent the enterprise’s grassroots community beneficiaries. Launched on September 1, 2025, with a 12-month implementation timeline, the initiative – backed by DOST funding – seeks to leverage local giant bamboo resources in Alae, Manolo Fortich, into sustainable, high- value engineered boards.
A central highlight of the monitoring meeting was the formal turnover of critical processing equipment to the NGA. The newly transferred machinery includes an outstanding twin-piston dual-cylinder air compressor and a Bosch circular saw, alongside an orbital power sander. With these additions joining the previously acquired thickness planers, the facility’s equipment acquisition stands at 75% completion. The joint team noted that full operational mass production at the processing plant now solely hinges on the delivery of the final outstanding machine, the four-side planer.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the review emphasized the successful 100% completion of organizational and technical capacity-building interventions designed to guarantee the facility’s long-term viability. The project has successfully trained 15 NGA members through consecutive educational sessions. These achievements include a specialized training on product design, innovation, pricing, packaging, and branding conducted on March 18, 2026, followed by an intensive membership engagement and communication workshop on March 25, 2026. Integrated modules covering financial literacy, governance, and association management have fully equipped the community partners to efficiently manage upcoming commercial and marketing operations.
This initiative highlights NBSC’s growing role in linking scientific research with grassroots economic empowerment. By translating forest product technologies into community enterprises, the College strengthens its capacity to deliver sustainable, high-impact solutions. It also refines mechanisms for regional knowledge transfer, reinforcing its position as a catalyst for community-centered technological advancement and rural industrialization.
