51³Ô¹ÏÍø

SSF Project supporting 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT BTRC upgrade launched

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Jan 30 2026

 

Playing a vital role in using and promoting bamboo as a sustainable resource in the region and in the country, the Bamboo Technology Resource Center (BTRC) of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT furthers and upgrades its production and facilities with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of Lanao del Norte in the launch of new equipment as part of the Shared Service Facilites Project on January 26, 2026. 

The SSF Project of DTI provides machinery, equipment, and/or tools to eligible cooperators and, under a usufruct agreement, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT is entitled to the use of the following equipment: (1) Hydraulic Splitter, (2) Bamboo Four-Side Stick Planer, and (3) Desktop Vaccum Forming Machine/ 3D FDM Printer. 

These new tools will modernize and enhance the labor and product capacity and quality of BTRC. More importantly, this will create more opportunities and increase the competitiveness of the region’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 

Present at the launch were the Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Prof. Ephrime Metillo, representing Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan, BTRC Director Lilian Valencia, FAB LAB Mindanao Director Dr. Arnel Zamayla, BTRC and FAB LAB Mindanao staff, and DTI Lanao del Norte delegates. 

 

Dr. Zamayla, in his speech, talked about the inception of the proposal for this project, addressing the common problem of inefficiency caused by lack of up to date equipment in BTRC, “The staff here at BTRC are really talented individuals, but they don’t have the luxury of equipment; granted, the luxury of equipment, they can do better products,” he said. He also added that with this upgrade, MSMEs inside and outside 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT will be more empowered as they will be able to generate more products, and more training programs can be hosted, leading to a boost in Iligan City’s creative industry.

“There will be plenty of people who will benefit from this equipment from the DTI,” Vice Chancellor Metillo said in his message. The agreement allows 51³Ô¹ÏÍø-IIT BTRC, as the cooperator, to use the equipment for two years, during which an increase in both beneficiaries and sales is expected.

A demonstration of some of the equipment was done before the signing of the documents. 

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