The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has long been at the forefront of promoting innovation and technical improvement in various industries. This time, they are looking to use forest products to tackle furniture issues in government buildings.
By means of its Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is utilizing indigenous inventions to prevent a recurrence of an unfortunate event like the discovery of bed bugs-infested hardwood furniture at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Rico Cabangon, the officer-in-charge of FPRDI, stated that his organization has been called upon to address health and safety issues related to locally manufactured furniture, especially those found in important government buildings.
New technologies
According to Cabangon, his agency will use the technologies that are readily accessible to extend the useful life of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to maintain woodwork and furniture in government buildings.
Rattan, one of the most popular raw materials for furniture and handicrafts, is frequently used with metal and wood to improve furniture's visual attractiveness.
Unfortunately, furniture with weaving patterns attracts bed bugs, which like small cracks and crevices to grow. Likewise, termites, fungi, powder-post beetles, or "bukbok," and other biodeterioration agents can infest rattan furniture.
Per Cabangon, they have researched a number of strategies to shield NTFPs against biodeterioration agents during processing, storing, and transportation.
Harnessing local materials
Promoting sustainable methods and the use of locally produced materials is one of DOST's main goals in the furniture sector.
Through research and development initiatives, DOST has found and developed novel methods for locating, processing, and treating locally available materials like bamboo, rattan, and coconut wood.
The industry's long-term survival has been aided by DOST's support of sustainable forestry methods, which encourage ethical wood procurement and conservation initiatives.
Through promoting sustainable harvesting practices and certification standards, DOST has assisted Filipino furniture producers in complying with global environmental standards and market demands.
