Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte, has opened a new facility that will serve as a research and training hub for forest-based products in Eastern Visayas.
The Forest Products Innovation and Training Center (FPITC) is intended to strengthen the capacity of local industries and communities in designing, processing, and using both wood and non-wood forest resources. It is also expected to encourage the responsible and sustainable use of natural resources in the region.
The center was established through the joint efforts of the Department of Science and Technology–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), DOST Regional Office 8, DOST-Leyte, and VSU. Located at the university’s DFS Nursery Grounds, it is the third FPITC in the country.
The facility houses modern equipment such as a dust collector, dryer, CNC router, 3D printers, and laser engravers. These are intended to support research, training, and technology transfer that can help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) develop products and create new sources of livelihood.
“This Innovation Center is more than just a facility, it is a platform to strengthen the forestry profession while also engaging students from other science and technology fields. By doing so, it encourages young people to pursue forestry and related courses,” said Rico Cabangon, director of DOST-FPRDI.
Cabangon added that the center is designed not only for research but also for practical use.
“Beyond research and innovation, the facilities will also be made accessible to MSMEs. For example, enterprises may rent the kiln dryer for wood or bamboo,” he said.
He also noted that rental fees will help sustain operations beyond government funding.
“The challenge now is to manage and operate this center efficiently, ensuring that it remains sustainable, responsive, and relevant in the years to come,” said DOST-8 Regional Director John Glenn Ocaña.