LU SP benchmarks e-kawayan factory in Pangasinan

July 28, 2018 Community Billboard

With the aim to further develop the bamboo industry in La Union through an appropriate legislative measure as a support to the Agri-Tourism Development Strategy, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members Ruperto A. Rillera, Jr., Reynaldo M. Mosuela, Nancy Corazon M. Bacurnay and Alyssa Kristine B. Sibuma with SP Secretariat Staff headed by SP Secretary Donato A. Rimando conducted a benchmarking activity at the Engineered Kawayan (E-Kawayan) Factory at the Maria Valdez Cornelio Techno-Demo Farm in Barangay Tangcarang, Alaminos City, Pangasinan on July 20, 2018.
E- Kawayan is a sustainable development project of the City of Alaminos that makes re-engineered bamboo into wood-like lumber materials developing the bamboo industry to make the city the Bamboo Capital of Pangasinan.
City Agriculturist Arceli B. Talania, and Factory Administrator Jaime C. Navarro facilitated the tour and the orientation in the factory. Ms. Talania said that the factory was conceptualized in 2010 and was made possible through the funding support provided by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The technology was developed and bought from the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. She also informed that City Mayor Arthur Celeste was very supportive of this project because he wanted Alaminos City to be known not only for its famous Hundred Islands but of its fully functional factory dedicated to bamboo furniture production in the Ilocos region.
Through the assistance of Mr. Navarro, the SPMs and staff saw the different stages the bamboos go through before they become strips or panels. After they were oriented on the procedure, they toured the factory and had a first-hand experience on how the bamboo poles were processed and shaped into slats, glued, laminated, laser printed and transformed into bamboo items and furniture. They also inspected the display area where the finished products such as plaques, chairs, tables, sala sets, key chains, podiums, table signs, toys and other items are exhibited. Some of their merchandises are sold in the factory and they also supply their products to various places.
The benchmarking activity equipped the SPMs and staff not only of the knowledge but also with the experience on the process of creating bamboo items and furniture which can be utilized in improving the bamboo industry of the province as driver of livelihood opportunities and local economic development. The activity has also motivated the local legislators to revisit the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the province with Department of Trade and Industry – Region I in 2015 for the implementation of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) for bamboo at Barangay Gana, Caba, La Union.
Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III commended the initiative of the SP and said that this activity would help in the attainment of the vision of La Union to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025. RHEA MATILDE A. BALLESTEROS, GPC-SP / ABN