South Cotabato to Host Mindanao Bamboost Forum on Aug. 7

The province of South Cotabato, Philippines, will hold the Mindanao Bamboost Forum — The South Cotabato Experience—on 7 August in Koronadal City. The two‑day event aims to promote bamboo as a sustainable construction material, develop a value‑added bamboo supply chain, and position the region as a “Bamboo Corridor of the South.”

Architect Rhalf Abne, lead designer of the record‑setting Dumaguete bamboo pavilion, will address regional builders and policymakers, urging wider adoption of climate‑resilient bamboo housing. Provincial officials, including LEDIPO head Tyron Jann Villanueva and Mahintana Foundation executive director Liza Duropan‑Lopez, will discuss market potential and industry challenges such as raw‑material shortages and limited technology. The Department of Science and Technology notes that the Philippines holds roughly 39,000‑53,000 hectares of bamboo, underscoring its importance for local economies and sustainable development.