DOST-FPRDI celebrates 64th anniversary, renews commitment to serve forest-based industry and MSMEs
The DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) marks another milestone as it celebrates its 64th Anniversary this 5-9 July 2021.
With the theme “Pagbangon at Pag-asa sa Panahon ng Pandemya”, this year’s celebration centers on the Institute’s continued R&D initiatives and technical services to forest-based industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) amid the ongoing pandemic.
“We are more than a year into this global health crisis, yet most of us are still finding ways to manage its impacts,” said DOST-FPRDI Director Dr. Romulo T. Aggangan.
Despite the pandemic, the DOST-FPRDI continues to provide its different services to its various stakeholders and help them pivot in this trying time. “The Institute continues to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as they are among the most hard-hit sectors. Through the agency’s technologies and upgraded technical services, DOST-FPRDI helps keep local small businesses afloat amid the challenges brought by the pandemic,” he added.
One of the highlights of the Anniversary celebration is the launch of the DOST-FPRDI Technovation Hub on 05 July. The Technovation Hub features three of the Institute’s newest facilities: The Forest Products Innovation and Training Center, the Bamboo Musical Instruments Processing Center, and the Forest Products Technology Business Incubator (TBI).
“The Hub houses state-of-the-art facilities that can be accessed by businesses venturing into furniture, handicraft, housing and bamboo musical instruments production, among others. We believe that with innovation and R&D support, small enterprises can sustain their growth and be more competitive here and abroad,” explained Aggangan.
The Technovation Hub is also envisioned to upscale the capacity of the wood and non-wood forest-based industries so they become more efficient and competitive. “We also ensure that sufficient technical and marketing support are given to wood and non-wood forest-based industries thru our TBI. By providing business development services to our clients, we increase their chances of sustainably adopting our technologies,” Aggangan added.
Aside from the Technovation Hub inauguration, DOST-FPRDI will also conduct a consultative dialogue with the forest-based sector on 07 July as a way of making its services and technologies more responsive to the needs of industry partners.
A free training-webinar on furniture making will be held on 08 July. In fact, the institute has been conducting virtual technology trainings since last year to provide more livelihood opportunities to the public.
“With the economy in recession because of the COVID pandemic, it is important that MSMEs get all the support they need to survive. Our commitment to better serve our clients has not faltered, and has even become stronger as we all work together to help mitigate the effects of this global crisis,” concluded Aggangan.
For more information and updates, please follow the DOST-FPRDI official Facebook page and website (www.fprdi.dost.gov.ph). (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon,DOST-FPRDI)
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