by AC Battung
In line with the ongoing collaborative activities on the utilization of sugar palms and for the attainment of a sustainable sugar palm industry, the Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) - Technology Innovation Division (TID) held a meeting with the Sugar Palm Research, Information, and Trade (SPRINT) Center to present and discuss the results of the completed study "Development of High-Value Products Derived from Senile Sugar Palms (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.)" on March 12, 2024 at the SPRINT Center, Cavite State University – Don Severino de las Alas Campus, Indang, Cavite.
DOST-FPRDI officials and personnel present were Dr. Loreto A. Novicio, TID Chief, and For. Jefferson Rey M. Roxas, TID personnel and project leader. Meanwhile, SPRINT Center personnel present were: Asst. Prof. Edgardo A. Gonzales, SPRINT Center Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Alfie Carl A. Battung, Ms. Annette L. Marges, and Ms. Lady Joanne B. Herrera - SPRINT Center personnel.
From left to right: Dr. Loreto A. Novicio, Asst. Prof. Edgardo A. Gonzales, For. Jefferson Rey M. Roxas, and Mr. Alfie Carl A. Battung
Dr. Novicio and For. Roxas presented the results of the said study, which used senile sugar palm trunks harvested within the campus on April 12-14, 2023, and March 20-23, 2024. It was determined that senile sugar palms produced quality lumber that could be used for the production of furniture items and other functional creative products.
The meeting also discussed the visit of SPRINT Center personnel to the DOST-FPRDI office and facilities located at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Los Baños, Laguna and to personally inspect the finished furniture prototypes. Activities for the next phases of the project were also brought up to comply with the recommendations identified after the completion of the study.
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