More projects on engineered bamboo will be implemented through the collaboration of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ERDB). This is made possible through PCAARRD’s partnership with China.
PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, together with FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan, briefed the new ERDB Director Nonito M. Tamayo about the proposed RP-China Collaboration Project during their meeting at ERDB headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.
According to Ebora, the proposed collaboration will initially focus on processing of engineered bamboo to be implemented by DOST-FPRDI. However, the Chinese counterpart also expressed interest on bamboo germplasm collection which is under the jurisdiction of DENR-ERDB.
Tamayo responded positively in this research collaboration, with concurrence and supervision from the DENR Secretary, Undersecretary, and other concerned DENR agencies. Bamboo is one of ERDB’s priority commodities under the National Greening Program (NGP).
As a result of the meeting, other R&D proposals on germplasm conservation and agar wood will be packaged by ERDB. These projects will focus on germplasm collection of bamboo and DNA sequencing, environmental requirements, and propagation of agar wood.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be prepared to further strengthen partnership among the three agencies. Collaborative projects and activities to be done by respective agencies will be highlighted in the MOA.