These were the words of Capiz Provincial Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. to the team of Capiz State University (CapSU) led by Vice President for Research and Extension, Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Regional Technical Director, Dr. Alicia L. Lustica in their consultative meeting Oct. 15, 2010 at the CapSU Dumarao Campus in barangay Codingle, Dumarao, Capiz.
In the said meeting, CapSU and DENR proposed to the Capiz governor the establishment of the Western Visayas Bamboo Research Center (WVBRC), which the group envisions to be the center of excellence in bamboo research, development and extension in Western Visayas.
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According to the proposal, WVBRC commits “to improve the production, utilization and commercialization of bamboo through high-quality research and extension activities.” Among others, Gregorio lobbied to Tanco for the development of a database for bamboo in Region 6 and the establishment of a germplasm collection, nursery and plantation which would help generate responsive information and technologies for bamboo.
The CapSU-DENR tandem also sought to promote bamboo as an ecologically and economically viable crop and committed themselves for the attainment of a vibrant bamboo industry in the region. Gregorio sought the support of the governor facilitate the funding of the nursery operations plantation rehabilitation and maintenance and supplies and equipment. DENR’s Lustica emphasized that the bamboo hub project fits well with the eco-tourism project of the province even as it seeks to generate livelihood initiative for bamboo farmers across the province and even the region.
The proposal elicited favorable comment from Tanco who stressed on the tourism prospects for the province which could be helped by the bamboo project. Tanco then directed the project leaders to coordinate with the Capiz provincial office to prepare for a memorandum of agreement that will formalize the participation and partnership of CapSU, DENR and the province of Capiz.
The WVBRC initiative traces roots to the establishment of the pilot bamboo plantation inside the CapSU (formerly Panay State Polytechnic College) Dumarao Campus in a 10-hectare lot donated by the Arancillo family. Funded by the United Nations Development Program-Food and Agriculture Organization (UNDP-FAO) in 1981 and implemented by then Forest Research Institute (FORI) in Mambusao, Capiz, it was fully established in 1986.
In 2001, a MOA was signed between the DENR and PSPC, which strengthened the program for bamboo. Later on, more R&D projects and activities were conducted by DENR’s Ecological Research and Development Services (ERDS).
