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| DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga (leftmost), DTI-Regional Office XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, CESO V (third from left) and Tagum National Trade School (TNTS) Principal Mario S. Gregorio (2nd from right) inks Memorandum of Agreement for the turn-over of the Engineered Bamboo Shared Service Facilities to TNTS on August 26, 2015 as witnessed by representatives from the Department of Education, Provincial Government of Davao del Norte and the City Government of Tagum. |
Under the auspices of its Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program, the Department of Trade and Industry Davao del Norte Field Office in partnership with the City Government of Tagum launched on August 26, 2015 the first ever Engineered Bamboo Processing and Development Facility in Mindanao located at the Tagum National Trade School, Apokon, Tagum City.
The facility which consisted of various bamboo processing equipments for primary processing, cutting operations, sanding operation, electric and portable tools, carpentry tools and consumables, and planks and panel for final processing has a total cost of Php3.559 million.
According to data from DTI, this project was conceived way back in 2010 when the agency provided trainings and equipment for the processing of engineered bamboo and had consequently organized a Bamboo Forum in 2012. With the implementation of their SSF Program in 2012, a proposal for the provision of a bamboo processing hub in Davao del Norte was made.
Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, Officer in Charge of DTI – Regional Office XI revealed that this is one of the first projects to be approved upon commencement of the SSF Program.
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| Some of the Shared Service Facilities on Engineered Bamboo Processing handed over by DTI to Taagum National Trade School: (left to right) Universal Sharpener for Circular Saw, Laminating Press with Pneumatic Cylinder, Twin Rip Saw, Dust Collector, Wide Belt Sander |
According to data from DTI, this project was conceived way back in 2010 when the agency provided trainings and equipment for the processing of engineered bamboo and had consequently organized a Bamboo Forum in 2012. With the implementation of their SSF Program in 2012, a proposal for the provision of a bamboo processing hub in Davao del Norte was made.
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| The kiln dryer for bamboo is one of the facilities entrusted by DTI to Tagum National Trade School. Drying a freshly cut bamboo pole minimizes breakage and prevents decay caused by microorganisms |
Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, Officer in Charge of DTI – Regional Office XI revealed that this is one of the first projects to be approved upon commencement of the SSF Program.
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| DTI-Regional Offie XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi talks about how this bamboo development project came into being during the Launching and Turn-over Ceremony. |
The main objective for the establishment of this facility is to introduce appropriate production processes and manufacturing technologies to MSMEs for e-bamboo and bamboo furniture and fixtures. It also aims to fully utilize the bamboo resources in the province especially since all its local government units have already established their respective nurseries and bamboo propagation projects in partnership with DANA Foundation, the private sector champion for bamboo industry development.
The local government unit of Tagum City has expressed their support in this endeavor with the provision of funds to Tagum National Trade School for the construction of a building to house the equipments. It also signified to look for ways to put bamboo propagation at the forefront of its agricultural projects.
According to Tagum National Trade School principal Dr. Mario S. Gregorio, even the private sector contributed for the inception of this project by donating aggregates to level off the land for building construction.
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| From left to right: Tagum City Schools Division Superintendent Cristy C. Epe, Executive Assistant from the Provincial Governor's Office Rosalio Ibañez, DTI-XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi and DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga lead the cutting of ribbons during the launching and turn-over ceremony of the Shared Service Facility for Engineered Bamboo Processing. |
DTI – Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga said that this facility will not only serve as training center for senior high school students and individuals who are interested in bamboo processing but will also welcome MSMEs and other stakeholders who wanted to process their raw bamboo.
“This is not the end but just the beginning. The agency is set to conduct more interventions in the future such as product designing and lectures on pricing and costing.”,Castañaga added.
DTI-Davao del Norte will also partner with Tagum National Trade School in the proposed SSF for Jewelry Industry Development.
