Posted on December 13, 2019
Cagayan State University - Gonzaga greets everyone “Bamboohay!” as it launched the Bamboo Sanctuary last December 13, 2019, taking a step forward into its vision of making the campus as the premier sight for bamboo research, development, and extension.
Guests from the different partner agencies and communities joined the launching as they experienced the bamboo trail which toured the participants in the bamboo sanctuary. The sights included Bamboo-inspired Information Desk, Cafe, and Massage Hut. It also took the guests through the campus’ in- house Bamboo Park, Bamboo Nursery, Residensya Kawayan, and Bamboo Galley and Souvenir Shop.
University President Urdujah A. Tejada, as one of the main proponents of the program presented the Rationale and Introduction of the Bamboo Sanctuary. CEO Froilan A. Pacris, on the other hand, talked about CSU Gonzaga’s Bamboo Research Development and Extension Projects. Dr. Calixto B. Alicay, the Campus Research Coordinator, also introduced the 16 Bamboo Varities found in the campus’ Health and Wellness Park.
With the goal of tapping all the right hands for the program, pledges of support were given by Hon. Mayor Marilyn S. Pentecostes of LGU Gonzaga, Ms. Zeneida Quinto, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist from the Department of Trade and Industry R02, Ms. Wagayway Agatep, Supervising Ecosystems Management Specialist from Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Atty. Roderick Iquin, Education Program Specialist from the Commission on Higher Education R02, Mr. Jerry A. Cabalce, Chairperson of the Regional Tourism Council, Honorable Olivia B. Pascual, Immediate Past Chairperson of the Cagayan Valley Regional Tourism Council and the Vice Mayor of LGU Lal-lo, a strong partner in citronella and Dr. Samuel R. Garcia, Chairperson of the Cagayan Valley Bamboo Industry Development Council.
Trusted as the support arm of the emerging Bamboo-Based Agroforestry Program of the university, CSU Gonzaga is envisioned to be a leading advocate of bamboo cultivation and commercialization through ecotourism in the Cagayan province. Unique in the province, this project shall be a learning environment for its target beneficiaries, a climate change mitigation strategy and an ecotourism potential for the province and the region as well.
The CSU Bamboo Sanctuary is an extension program for the Bamboo RDE Project by the CSU Gonzaga Campus. In the core are the partner agencies attached to CSU. These agencies provide the driving force for the project to operationalize. Their participation will highly depend on their expertise as an agency. Partner agencies include LGU-Gonzaga, DENR, DepEd, DOT, DOST, DTI, CHED and other private agencies like Goodfellow Pharma.
The colleges at CSU Gonzaga shall be important key players in this project and shall involve women, men, PWDs, senior citizens from the community. In synergy, they maneuver the operation of the components. The level of activity of one college will greatly affect the other colleges in the operation of their assigned component.
The Bamboo Sanctuary is seen as eventually a self-sustaining facility that will take care of its maintenance cost and earn income. This is intended for students in both private and public institutions, referring to them as target clients, because the sanctuary essentially aims to educate the future generation about bamboo and the many benefits it provides. Looking at it from the perspective of tourism, the sanctuary will be attractive to ecotourists (who are willing to pay premium for the experience) because of its structure—uncrowded, remote wilderness, environmentally sensitive and physically challenging. Its location is very near Sta. Ana, Cagayan, which is a popular tourism destination choice, is an advantage.
Caritan Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley 3500
Phone: (078) 844-0098/0099 Loc. 122
Email: president@csu.edu.ph
