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This web page was produced by the Centre for Plant and Water Science of CQUniversity, and funded by RIRDC.
Improving and maintaining productivity of bamboo for quality timber and shoots in Australia and the Philippines
Mr Steve Ockerby
The purpose of the travel was to meet Philippine collaborators and to discuss and initiate research experiments.
May 8 Depart Rockhampton to Manila and Los Banos. Met by Dr Tessora, Director Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI)
May 9 Los Banos – Dr Nimfa Torreta (PCCARD), Dr Marina Alipon, Dr Rogelio Serrano - Acting Director, Dr Romulo Aggangan, Zenita Espiloy and Marcelino Siladan (FPRDI). Low exchange rate caused some shortfall in money received in Philippines. Discussed timber quality aspects of managed plantations and logistics for testing. Emphasis on benchmark qualities in first year (of project) and in the last year three-year-old culms that have been fully grown under the treatments. Insufficient funding to do all chemical analyses and some transport problems from Iloilo and Malaybalay sites to be overcome. Fertiliser application for shoots and/or timber to be considered.
May 10 Travel to Ilocos Norte with Nimfa and Santi (great driver unbelievable road)
May 11-14 Mariano Marcus State University - Prof Stanley Malab, Saturnino M Ocampo Jnr (MMSU President), Prof Betty Malab, Mante and Joey. Discussed the importance of having data to convince local council that harvest of edible shoots and timber can be sustained under correct management. This will promote selling of edible shoots in market. Assembled chainsaw (the enthusiasm and its importance was understood once I’d seen the thorns on Kawayan tinik). Established experimental protocols and treatments for Payao plantation and natural stands. Visited Payao after Typhoon Krissing and before the election to assign treatments to clumps. Took 20-30 minutes for two people to thin one clump and there are 78 clums in the experiment. Visit to natural stands postponed by election issues. Stayed in the ‘Bamboo House’ guest of Stanley and Betty excellent and with ‘air continuous’.
May 15 Travel to Los Banos
May 16 Forest Products Research and Development Institute – Marina Alipon. Discussion about bamboo veneer methods and products and received samples of veneer for Shale Gordon at Bamboo Surfboards.
Planned meeting with Cecilia Honrado cancelled due to Embassy business.
Travel to Iloilo with Nimfa met by Dr Butch Marquez and Neil Gigare
May 17 Meeting with Dr Butch Marquez, Neil Gigare, Rainer M. Ecang (Ass. Reg. Ex. Dir. Department of Environment and Natural Resources - DENR) and Engr. Julian D. Amador Reg. Ex. Dir DENR. Discussed experimental plans, then visited plantation site at Dumarao and selected trial area. Need for chainsaw and irrigation plan and system agreed.
May 18 Travelled with Butch Marquez and Niel Gigare to Saint Barbara and met with Macitas Faustina (Pres. Cadagmaya Norte Bamboo Crafts Group – 17 owners of natural bamboo stands). Agreed on treatments for experiments.
May 19 Travelled with Butch Marquez and Niel Gigare to Guimaras Island and met with Valentino Ealabero (Prov. DENR officer and ‘future Governor’) and Governor J.C. Rahmon Nava (just re-elected). Discussed possibilities for introducing B. Arnhemica from Australia for use in slope stabilisation and wastewater dissipation and the first batch of VHT mangoes being sent from the island to Australia. (Great day out).
May 20 Travel to Manila to Cagayan de Oro with Nimfa met by Myrna Decipulo and Felixberto V. Capadocia (Ass. Reg. Exec. Dir. DENR) then to Malaybalay.
May 21 Attended flag-raising ceremony then met with Myrna Decipulo and Lydia Tionco to determine protocols for D. asper experiment. Travelled to the site and inspected clumps in the rain (better get used to it). Selected experimental areas.
May 22 Returned to Cagayan de Oro and to Manila. Departed for Australia.
May 23 Returned to Rockhampton.
The trip was excellent and at each site there was great enthusiasm. I think this will be an exciting and progressive project with several opportunities to extend and develop bamboo in both countries. The initiation of the project in relation to budgets and resources appeared to be excellent, as was the management of my trip by Nimfa Torreta – thank you.
A number of difficulties associated with doing the experiments at all three locations were identified. These included the realignment of line item budgets for personnel to allow for the hire of casual labour, and the reassessment of capital item purchases to best complete the work. The issue of a very tight budget for the project was also raised with particular reference to the lack of funds for domestic per diem travel expenses and the lack of usual honorariums for research teams in the Philippines.
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