February 27, 2023
About 17 locals composed of mothers, seniors, specially-abled person, and organization leaders in Ambongdolan, Tublay were successfully trained on Bamboo Craft Making during the three-day training organized by the Department of Science and Technology- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) through its Provincial Science and Technology Office – Benguet (PSTO-Benguet) in partnership with the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) on February 21- 23, 2023, held at Ambongdolan Barangay Hall, Tublay, Benguet.
The training is part of the interventions for the continuing project on Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) for the Municipality of Tublay under the Economic Development entry point, to capacitate the locals to be able to produce bamboo handicrafts as one of their notable products in the area.
Earlier in January 2023, DOST CAR provided production equipment for bamboo craft making such as kiln dryer, splitter, sizer, miter saw, and drill were provided to the Barangay Local Government Unit of Ambongdolan with four (4) identified associations – beneficiaries, namely: Country Side Rainbow Association, Batwag Multipurpose Cooperative, Ambongdolan Animal Raisers Association, and Ambongdolan Multipurpose Livelihood Inc.
Engr. Jovito Elec and Mr. Jonaz Nicolo Labastilla of the DOST-FPRDI who served as trainers discussed the characteristics of bamboo in relation to handicraft production, raw materials preparation (treatment and seasoning), processing tools and equipment, and the basic concept on product development.
The demonstration and workshop were continued on the second to the third day of the training with bamboo lampshade, speaker, tray and other small items creatively done by the participants.
During the Closing Ceremony, Provincial S&T Director-Benguet Sheila Marie B. Singa-Claver encouraged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity in which Barangay Ambongdolan is a tourist spot, for them to create souvenirs to offer to tourists.
She explained that with the provision of the tools and equipment and the training, men and women even elders can participate in the livelihood project.
Also, Brgy. Ambongdolan Captain Apolonia Pad-eng urged her constituents for them to continue the project to be successful. “Let’s use our imagination to creatively produce more handicrafts” added Hon. Pad-eng.
Meanwhile, Mr. Diokno Sabado, one of the senior participants expressed his appreciation to DOST for the conduct of the training noting that at first, he thought that the designs of the expected training outputs are just simple. But during the workshop, they were able to learn the intricacy of bamboo craft making. “I was contented with the three-day training… we will agree what to do to make this training worthwhile”, he added.// CGDionisio
DOST-CAR PSTO-Benguet headed by PSTD Dr. Sheila Marie Singa-Claver (2nd from left) together with the DOST-FPRDI team and participants from four (4) identified associations – beneficiaries in Ambongdolan Barangay Hall, Tublay, Benguet pose for a photo after the training.
