DOST-FPRDI Celebrates 68th Anniversary with National Conference on Forest Innovation
The DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) will hold a conference to celebrate its 68th anniversary on July 4, 2025, at The Bellevue Manila Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa. The event commemorates nearly seven decades of the Institute’s pioneering efforts in R&D, technology transfer, and technical services for forest-based industries.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. and DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Leah J. Buendia will lead the roster of dignitaries attending the event, alongside other key DOST officials and individuals who have significantly advanced forest product research.
Expected also to attend the event are the Institute’s sustainability partners— individuals who have consistently supported DOST-FPRDI’s programs and initiatives.
These key supporters include Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, who championed the Institute’s 2025 budget during recent congressional hearings; Bukidnon 1st District Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba, a strong advocate of bamboo technology initiatives; and Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Neil Andrew N. Nocon, who is a prospective partner for the Institute’s sustainable and disaster risk reduction-related technologies.
“DOST-FPRDI continues to be a pillar of sustainable innovation. For 68 years, it has advanced the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation thru science-based solutions for the forest-based industries,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
He added, “The Institute’s work safeguards our natural resources, and also opens up new opportunities for communities, empowering them through innovative technologies.”
DOST-FPRDI Director Rico J. Cabangon also emphasized the importance of the anniversary in reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to its mission. “This celebration is more than a look back at our achievements—it reflects how deeply rooted we are in our purpose. Through science, technology, and innovation, we continue to provide practical, sustainable solutions to pressing challenges while opening doors of opportunity for our people, especially in the countryside,” he said.
A plenary session will feature renowned Filipino innovators who have made significant contributions to forest products development.
- Mark Kennedy Bantugon, President of Pili AdheSeal, Inc. and a James Dyson Awardee, will present on his discovery of pili resin as an aviation sealant. DOST-FPRDI supported his undergraduate research through testing services, technical assistance, and facility access.
- Christian Salandanan, Co-Founder of Sangay Architects and a Good Design (GD) Awardee, will share his work on Philippine bamboo architecture, including the award-winning Miguel Romero Polo Pavilion that earned the GD Gold Prize. The Institute also provided technical guidance on his bamboo-focused undergraduate research.
- Ray Villanueva, Co-Founder of the Kawayan Collective Agricultural Cooperative (KCAC) and recipient of a Presidential Award for Small Enterprise, will discuss sustainable housing design. KCAC is one of the enterprises supported by the Institute through its Tubò Technology Business Incubator Program.
A major highlight of the event will be the launch of the DOST-FPRDI-developed bamboo drum shell, a musical instrument developed using engineered bamboo as a sustainable alternative to conventional drum materials.
The event will conclude with a tribute to DOST-FPRDI’s workforce, acknowledging the critical role of its employees in advancing the forest-based industry.
Themed Root3D in Senses, Growing in Innovations: A Celebration of Forest Products, the event aims to highlight the Institute’s mission to advance sustainable forest products utilization, strengthen partnerships with stakeholders and industry players, showcase its latest innovations, and recognize the dedication and contributions of its personnel. ### (Glaiza Z. Barboza, 19 June 2025)