On April 3, 2024, the City College of Cagayan de Oro, represented by Mr. Karl Hein M Pios - Assistant to the Vice President for Administration and Mr. Elly Iligan- Campus Development Officer, actively took part in an exploratory meeting organized by the CDO Confederation and the Mambuaya Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Association (MAISFFA) P.O, in coordination with the Community Improvement Division (CID) headed by Mr. Honorio G. Diputado, Jr.- Officer in-charge and Agricultural Productivity Operations Office headed by Mr. Paterno L. Gonzales- Department Head at the City Council Conference Room.
The meeting aimed to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the bamboo industry and engage potential stakeholders in the establishment of a Bamboo hub in Barangay Mambuaya, Cagayan de Oro City. Apart from City College of Cagayan de Oro, other key participants included the Department of Trade and Industry 10 (DTI-X), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA 10), Philippine Bamboo Society for Advocates Inc. (PBSAI) represented by Ms. Mercedes F. Mejia- Board of Trustee together with the Vice President (Internal) and Board of Trustee, Mr. Jesus Alfonso Carpio and Ms. Corazon Jimenez- Treasurer and Board of Trustee, City Engineering's Office (CEO) and various departments of the Local Government Unit (LGU-CDO).
It was also emphasized during the meeting the importance of developing the bamboo industry to generate income, particularly benefiting farmers in the region. City College, soon to be a stakeholder, committed to supporting the initiative by implementing concrete actions. As an initial step, the college will open TESDA Accredited qualifications, specifically Bamboo Engineering NCII and Bamboo Processing NCII, to equip individuals with the necessary skills for the industry. City College aims to target current workers in the region as the first cohort of trainees, providing them with training and accreditation with NC II qualifications.
Following the meeting, participants visited the existing Shared Service Facility for the Establishment of Bamboo Hub at Barangay Mambuaya, gaining firsthand insight into the current infrastructure and operations. Led by the Community Improvement Division, the visit further underscored the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the full operationalization of the bamboo industry by the year's end, emphasizing its potential to bolster economic growth and support local communities.