The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) showcased the latest advancements in wood and non-wood forest technologies, one of which is the “Silyang Pinoy.”

The Silyang Pinoy, an environmentally friendly school furniture made mostly of engineered bamboo (e-bamboo) and other raw materials—was highlighted during the visit of the House of Representatives' members to the DOST-FPRDI office on Feb. 22.

The DOST-FPRDI explained that e-bamboo is made by “binding together fibers, particles, strips, or slats of bamboo with the right adhesive.”

It can also be multi-functional, with chairs and tables that can be easily converted into other furniture, and is especially useful in a country where schools are usually converted into evacuation centers during disasters, it said.

In addition, it is used worldwide to make panels, floors, furniture, and handicrafts and is often "stronger and less prone to warping than equivalent solid woods."

The DOST-FPRDI said they created school tables and chairs out of engineered bamboo, a sustainable and competitive material that could soon replace wood and plastic as school furniture.

“Supporting bamboo production not only provides economic opportunities for local bamboo farmers and e-bamboo producers; it also helps address the country’s wood supply problems,” DOST-FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan said in their previous statement.

It added the project was made to comply with the price set by the Department of Education (DepEd), where it aimed to compete with school furniture in the market.

Currently, it noted that the DepEd spends at least P116,000 on 1-table-1-chair sets for 45 students.

Meanwhile, DOST-FPRDI OIC Director Rico J. Cabangon said that through the visit, the department was able to present the Institute’s efforts in harnessing the potential of forest resources and in helping address concerns that include job creation, human security, and environment protection through research and development programs and technology transfer activities.

He stressed the importance of scientific innovations for the benefit of the Filipino people and expressed eagerness to engage in more discussions that emphasize the need for continued support for research initiatives.

Meanwhile, DOST Undersecretary for Special Concerns Dr. Teodoro Gatchalian hoped that the visit would demonstrate the effective utilization of government funds to benefit the people.

“We hope to prove to you that every centavo we receive from the national government is being put to maximum use so that our people can really benefit from the services that we deliver,” he said.

Furthermore, the committee delegates were given an exclusive tour of the advanced facilities of DOST, including the Fire Testing Laboratory, which houses equipment to verify the fire resistance of small samples from wall panels.

They also visited the Furniture Testing Center which evaluates the strength, durability, and stability of chairs, tables, and other furniture using local and global test standards. Additionally, they visited the Wood Library and Herbarium, which has the most extensive wood collection in the Philippines with over 4,000 tree species to date.

At the Forest Products Innovation Center, various products on bamboo and other non-wood forest products, creative industry, flavors and fragrances from the forests, human security, and climate change were also displayed.