By Erna S. Gorne

Southern Leyte (23 October) -- The thicker, the more durable building materials could be if they are made out of bamboo The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here is set to introduce a new technology in the production of Kawayan tiles, plyboo, weaved plyboo and bamboo chips panel, all out of bamboo, DOST Provincial Director Engr. Dominador Clavejo reported during the KAABAG cable TV program recently.

Engr. Clavejo further said their office would highly recommend for the new bamboo project as building materials production since the province is abundantly grown with bamboo plants.

To ensure that the different bamboo products are free from termites, the technology basically requires chemical treatment against these pests, locally known as “bokbok” that commonly attacks bamboos as they are being utilized as building materials.

Clavejo said the mentioned bamboo project is very feasible in the province. He further said that he introduced the same project to the Provincial Developing Rural Industry and Village Enterprises (DRIVE) Committee with the provincial government as the proponent.

That said building materials could be used for ceiling and walls for house building construction which would obviously produce a native house - a natural attraction to foreigners.

Presently, bamboos are commonly used as fence, animal pens, firewood, barbecue sticks, antenna poles, among others, in the local community when these could be put for more valuable purposes, he added.

Together with other members of the Provincial DRIVE Committee, namely Provincial Director Mike Nuñez and Provincial Tourism Officer Nedgar Garvez intend to visit to Negros to study further on the new technology on bamboo project.