The Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) headed by its College President Dr. Augie F. Fuentes and staff, toured the Philippine Bambusetum at the Watershed and Water Resources Development and Extension Center of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB-WWRRDEC) located at Loakan Road, Baguio City on January 25, 2022.

The activity is part of their benchmark initiatives for the establishment of their Upscaling Bamboo Rural Enterprise and Development Project in Mati, Digos City, Davao del Sur.

The state college intends to learn from the operations and best practices of the facility which can be replicated in their own Bambusetum in Davao City.

During the short program held at the Technology Transfer Promotion and Extension Unit (TTPEU) Office, Ms. Estrella E. Patrimonio, Unit Chief welcomed the participants and gave a brief orientation on the importance of the facility as a demo area that showcases different bamboo species that are endemic in the Philippines and exotic ones.

She also stressed that the bambusetum is a learning hub for demonstrations where students, researchers, and others learn the uses of the different bamboo species, and how to propagate and nurture them.

Copies of IEC materials such as a coffee table book on the Selected Bamboo Species at the Philippine Bambusetum, and bamboo technology materials such as the How-to manual, Teknow Comics, Training Manual on bamboo propagation, and plantation establishment were provided to the visitors.

Ms. Carissa C. Collado, Training Specialist I, and Mr. Larry Munoz, TTPEU staff, toured the 11 visitors (5 males, 6 females) around the Learning Ecological Park for Advocating Resources and Nature (LEARN) giving bamboo propagation techniques and tips as well as identifying bamboos for heavy construction, handicrafts, ornamentals, and food consumption.

Ms. Minda S. Odsey, former TTPEU Chief and now the Center Head of Agroforestry Research, Development and Extension Center (ARDEC) in Davao City, further oriented the visitors on the different uses of each bamboo species and how to distinguish each species using its sheath.

Aside from the IEC materials, some planting materials were also provided after the tour. The group intends to have another tour of the facility in the future to learn more about bamboo propagation technologies and possible purchase of planting materials. Chamanei C. Elias, WWRRDEC

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