Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU partners with bamboo eco-enterprise to promote iron bamboo industry in Northern Luzon

By Benedict Jay Collado

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and Bella Aurora Bamboo Innovations (BABI) on July 22 inked a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen technical research, propagation, and commercial innovation of iron bamboo across Northern Luzon.

The agreement was officially signed by MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. and BABI Proprietress Jamielyn Dela Cruz. This sets a joint vision to turn Northern Luzon’s bamboo industry into a driver for sustainable livelihoods and environmental resilience.  

Based in Claveria, Cagayan, BABI holds the distinction of operating the only iron bamboo plantation farm in Northern Philippines. In the agreement, MMSU, primarily through its College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) Department of Forestry, and the Bamboo Research, Training, and Processing Center, will provide technical leadership to expand and sustain BABI’s operations.

Prior to the signing of the MOA, CAFSD Dean Charlie Batin, along with the faculty members of the Forestry Department, conducted an on-site field visitation aimed at assessing the growth performance, adaptability, and the ecological and economic potential of iron bamboo in the local Ilocos Norte conditions.
 

In the next three years, MMSU is expected to conduct technical management and supply expertise in nursery and stand management, rehabilitation of unnamed bamboo clumps, and initiate training and value-added technology workshops for BABI personnel and local farm workers.

“As the university bamboo focal person and faculty member of the Department of Forestry, this MOA signing will strengthen our partnership with BABI, a collaboration that bridges academia, industry, and the community,” said Dr. Batin as he highlighted the importance of this partnership.

“Our goal is to advance bamboo research, innovation, and sustainable livelihood opportunities that will create lasting benefits for our students, stakeholders, and the next generation.”

The institution will also integrate BABI into national and international research networks to share databases and explore more sustainable bamboo-based enterprises. 

Meanwhile, the agreement establishes BABI as the region’s exclusive iron bamboo partner, and in turn, MMSU will utilize field data and monitoring insights for academic, research, and community extension purposes, reinforcing its mandate as a hub for environmental stewardship and agricultural innovation.