The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will build a Forest Product Innovation and Training Center (FPITC) in Baybay City, Leyte to advance sustainable forestry in Eastern Visayas.

DOST Regional Director John Glenn Ocaña said in a phone interview Monday the PHP3.6-million center will rise inside the Visayas State University (VSU) campus in Baybay City.

The center will focus on research, training and innovation, to address the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions, including in industries such as coconut and bamboo, he said.

Establishing FPITCs is part of a nationwide initiative, with similar centers established at Isabela State University in Luzon and Caraga State University in Mindanao.

“The proposed center aims to boost innovation and capability building in the forestry and wood products sectors. It will serve as a hub for research, training, technology transfer, and technical advisory related to sustainable forestry, wood processing, and value-added forest product development,” Ocaña said.

Among the equipment inside the facility are wood processing machines and advanced machinery for processing wood and non-wood forest products.

During a signing of the agreement earlier this year, the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute and VSU agreed to share knowledge and information or may collaborate with future research projects and secure intellectual property rights with the developed or improved forest-based products. (PNA)