SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ — The Department of Science and Technology–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) promotes Silyang Pinoy, a multifunctional engineered bamboo school furniture designed to strengthen disaster preparedness while supporting the local bamboo industry.
DOST-FPRDI Senior Science Research Specialist Edward Paul Marasigan said the innovation allows classroom chairs and tables to be assembled into elevated bed frames when schools are used as evacuation centers during calamities.
“The innovation of Silyang Pinoy lies in its versatility, as it can be assembled into a bed frame or used as a sleeping platform for evacuees in schools, while promoting the use of engineered bamboo, which is processed to transform its natural round form into durable, board-like panels,” he said.
He explained that the project supports Executive Order No. 79, which encourages the integration of bamboo in at least 25 percent of school furniture procured by the Department of Education, while creating opportunities for bamboo farmers and local furniture manufacturers.
He stated that engineered bamboo used in Silyang Pinoy undergoes processing where bamboo strips are flattened, glued, and hot-pressed to form durable board-like panels comparable in strength to conventional school furniture materials.
He added that the innovation has been deployed and evaluated in selected schools in Abra, Camiguin, and Palawan, where assessments confirm its structural durability and functionality, including its capacity to withstand up to 100 kilograms of force.
“Unlike plastic school furniture that becomes unusable once a leg breaks or a crack appears, Silyang Pinoy is modular—only the damaged component, such as the rubber footing or backrest, needs to be replaced, not the entire unit,” Marasigan said.
He emphasized that Silyang Pinoy is made from infestation-free engineered bamboo designed for long-term durability and can last for many years without fading, becoming brittle, or losing its form when properly maintained.
Field findings also recommend a review of prescribed dimensions for secondary school furniture to better fit students’ current physical build.
He highlighted that in 2024, Silyang Pinoy earned a Silver Prize at the Seoul International Invention Fair organized by the Korea Invention Promotion Association, underscoring its global competitiveness.
DOST-FPRDI is now developing Silyang Pinoy Version 2, which is designed to function as a protective chair or barrier during earthquakes.
Local manufacturers, schools, and other stakeholders may coordinate with their respective Provincial Science and Technology Office for technical assistance and possible adoption of the technology.
