By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

More sustainable bamboo supply, better livelihood opportunities, and increased environmental protection are seen with the launch of the one-hectare Bamboo Research and Development (R&D) Station of Mariano Marcos State University at the MMSU Forest Reserve in Barangay Mabaleng, City of Batac today, October 5.

Led by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, the event was attended by representatives of the provincial agriculture office; departments of environmental and natural resources, trade and industry, and labor and employment; barangay officials and farmers of brgys. Mabaleng and Payao in Batac; university officials, research and extension personnel, and bamboo project team. 

MMSU research director Bjorn Santos said the bamboo R&D station will showcase different bamboo technologies developed by the university. These are expected to eventually help rehabilitate the existing natural bamboo plants in the city for livelihood opportunities. 

Dr. Santos added the station will serve as laboratory and training site for students, farmers and other community members, and an experimental area for bamboo-based agroforestry. This will also be developed as an eco-tourism site. 

PSCA emphasized that the local farmers and community members are at the center of the project. “Through this initiative, we aim to help empower you to increase your income while taking part in protecting the environment and in sustaining bamboo in the locality.”

Mabaleng captain Jonathan Laud welcomed the newly-installed project in their barangay and thanked MMSU for choosing them as beneficiaries. He hopes the project will also cater to out-of-school youth.

Key personnel from OPAG, PENRO, DOLE, and DTI expressed full support to the R&D station, and vowed to provide available means to sustain the project. 

The activity was immediately followed by the planting of around 100 bamboo seedlings in the area. Also, 20 bamboo farmers from brgys. Mabaleng and Payao were trained on bamboo production and nursery establishment. This was facilitated by Dr. Charlie Batin, leader of the MMSU Bamboo program.

The bamboo plantation in Mabaleng was established in 1993 as an experimental station for MMSU faculty and students. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)