As part of this year’s plans and program for the development of the bamboo industry in the province, the Quezon Provincial Bamboo Technical Working Group conducted a benchmarking activity for CS First Green Agri-Industrial Development Inc. on 18 February 2022. The main objective of the activity is to link the company to Quezon bamboo farmers and bamboo processors to supply the company’s bamboo slat requirements.
The group headed by its Chairman, UBRDEC-ERDB Center Head, Gregorio E. Santos, Jr., visited the bamboo nursery in Aguilar town, part of the 10,651.09-hectare land area being leased by the company traversing five towns (Aguilar, Bugallon, Dasol, Mabini, and Infanta) in Pangasinan. Webon-Lomong-oy, Production Project Manager, presented the company’s history and discussed its commitment to enriching the lives of the Filipino people by promoting environmental consciousness. He also mentioned their program for bamboo farmers and their families. Each farmer beneficiary was given 10 bamboo shoots each to develop and plant, and take care of them until harvesting. The company pays them an extra P10.00 per pole harvested aside from the regular salary received by each head of the family. At present, a total of 56 families are benefiting from this. The group was also able to have a view of the plantation and had a short lecture and demo by Mr. Rolando Anchiboy, Bamboo Nursery Operator of CS First, on preparing bamboo cuttings at the nursery.
A tour of the bamboo processing plant in Bayambang, Pangasinan followed, where the participants were able to observe the different processes involved in engineered bamboo processing. Engineered bamboo products such as planks, boards, and floorboards in different sizes and finishes were on display. Aside from these products, the company also manufactures charcoal briquettes from bamboo, wine, furniture, and other novelty items.
Bernard Bawing, President of CS First, met the group and further explained the possibility of having the farmers’ group of Quezon as one of their slat suppliers in the future. He cited the requirements of the company as well as the assistance that they could extend to help the bamboo farmers of Quezon. He is looking forward to their visit to Quezon City in April to help identify the bamboos ready for harvesting and meet their requirements. In the meantime, he advised the group to identify a consolidator in the province who will take charge of gathering all the slats from different processors in Quezon and will take charge of transporting them to their company.
On behalf of their CEO and founder, Mayor Cezar Quiambao, Bawing thanked the group for visiting them and for their interest and advocacy in bamboo and promised their full support and assistance. Some members of the TWG shared their learnings during the tour and thanked the company as well. TWG Chair Gregorio E. Santos, Jr. expressed his gratitude to the company for the wonderful experience and learning.
Together with the other members of the Provincial Bamboo TWG, they presented their token of appreciation to the company for their warm welcome and for accommodating the group. The Quezon Bamboo TWG is looking forward to future collaboration with CS First Green Agri-Industrial Development Inc. in the development of the bamboo industry in the province. ♦
Date of Release: 18 March 2022