TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is upbeat about developing forest products in Eastern Visayas with the operation of a Forest Product Innovation and Training Center (FPITC) inside the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte.

DOST - Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) Director Rico Cabangon said Thursday that two batches of equipment had been delivered to the newly constructed FPITC in January and August this year.

Among the equipment inside the facility are wood processing machines and advanced machinery for processing wood and non-wood forest products.

“The forest products industry is one of the major players contributing to the Philippine economy. We want to take advantage of it by putting up state-of-the-art forest product facilities in the regions. Through this, novel items, particularly furniture products and fixtures, will be designed and created to compete in the international market,” Cabangon said during the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week celebration here.

The newly completed first phase of the building has a budget of P3.6 million. For its second phase, P4 million will be allocated.

“The establishment of FPITCs in the region is seen to propel innovation in the forest-based industries. The center is expected to uplift the research and development activities in the regions, thereby creating new products and technologies, and to enhance sustainable practices in the use of forest products,” Cabangon said.

Through this initiative, the VSU will be equipped with advanced processing machines, and staff will be trained on the processing of wood and non-wood forest products and machine operation and maintenance, among others.

“DOST-FPRDI is fully committed to seeing the growth of local forest-based industries. We will provide support through appropriate technologies and facilities needed for them to thrive in the domestic and global markets. We believe that with FPITCs around the country, more competitive and innovative products will be created,” Cabangon said.

In 2024, the DOST set aside P25 million for the operation and equipment of the center.

This year, the center got higher funding support at P29 million, according to Cabangon.