Participants from UPLB- CFNR, ERDB-DENR, FMB-DENR and DOST-PCAARRD (FERD, SERD, TTPD). (Image Credit: Applied Communication Divission, DOST-PCAARRD)
Harmonization of two bamboo inventory systems developed by the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB) and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ERDB-DENR) was discussed last February 6, 2022.
This was during the “Workshop on Harmonization of Bamboo Inventory Systems” conducted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC).
Development of a unified approach on bamboo inventory is critical to ensuring the sustainability of inventory efforts and the availability of reliable data on bamboo, says DOST-PCAARRD
DOST-PCAARRD’s Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) Director Dr. Ernesto Brown welcomed participants from UPLB, ERDB-DENR, and Forest Management Bureau of DENR (FMB-DENR). The Council’s also participated in the workshop.
Dr. Brown acknowledged the completed PCAARRD-funded project, “Enhancing the Various Policy Initiatives on Bamboo: Developing a Harmonized System for Community-based Inventory of Bamboo Resources in Key Production Areas in the Philippines,” led by Dr. Ramon Razal for generating bamboo cover maps in Pangasinan, Iloilo, and Bukidnon. He then highlighted the importance of aligned efforts among agencies and institutions for the Philippines to have a reliable bamboo inventory system that will support the development of the industry.
Prof. Pastor Malabrigo , Jr. of UPLB-CFNR (left), and Dr. Alan Castillo of ERDB-DENR (right), while presenting thier bamboo inventory systems. (Image Credit: Applied Communication Division, DOST-PCAARRD)
Technical aspects of the bamboo inventory systems were presented by Prof. Pastor Malabrigo, Jr. of CFNR-UPLB through UPLB’s Manual on Harmonized System for Community-Based Inventory of Bamboo Resources in the Philippines and by Dr. Alan Castillo of ERDB-DENR for their Manual of Procedure for Geospatial-Based Bamboo Resources.
SERD’s Senior Science Research Specialist Mia Barbara DV. Aranas facilitated the workshop. After the discussions on the two inventory protocols, the participants designed and agreed on an approach to harmonize the two bamboo inventory systems of the country. This includes data and information to be gathered, accuracy target, and steps in remote sensing and mapping. Communities will be engaged to ensure the sustainability, community ownership, and timeliness of bamboo inventory information.
Participants during the workshop on harmonization of bamboo inventory system (Image Credit: Socio-Economic Research Division, DOST-PCAARRD)
The agencies present expressed their interest in collaborating for capacity development activities.
Moving forward, UPLB and DENR committed to use the harmonized protocol in developing the country’s bamboo inventory system. These agencies envision a comprehensive and accurate bamboo resource inventory and mapping for each region to maximize the potential of the Philippine bamboo industry. (Angelika Jean O. Artates and Malen Maree A. Horigue, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Service)
