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Silyang Pinoy

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:960px;display:inline-block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17651617284021765161725359.png" width="960" id="isPasted" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:960px;display:inline-block;height:auto"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Silyang Pinoy&#x27; presented at the European Bamboo Expo in Germany in May 2025. <em>Photo courtesy of DOST-FPRDI on Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) has developed an eco-friendly and multi-functional school furniture dubbed &quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; and is coordinating with the Department of Education regarding its full adoption in elementary and secondary schools.</p><p>&quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; consists of chairs and tables that easily convert into a bed frame when combined. It is made of high-quality raw materials like engineered bamboo, mainly sourced from Pangasinan, composite boards, and metal tubes.</p><p>Engr. Edward Paul Marasigan, project leader of &quot;Silyang Pinoy,&quot; said it was designed with two main objectives: to empower the local bamboo industry and to assist evacuees during calamities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/19/philippines-slips-in-global-climate-performance-ranking-1522">Philippines slips in global climate performance ranking</a></div><p>“Alam naman natin na ‘yong Pilipinas is very susceptible sa mga natural calamities and disasters, so ‘yong ating taong bayan, nadi-displace sila sa mga schools kasi we’re not capable of having enough evacuation centers. Isa ‘yon sa mga naging inspiration natin,” he explained.</p><p>The innovation also aligned with Executive Order No. 879, which requires public schools to procure at least 25 percent of their annual furniture from bamboo-made products.</p><p>Marasigan presented &quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; to DepEd officials last September during the &quot;Talakayan sa Kawayan&quot; culminating activity of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC). </p><p>He hoped for their authorization to fully adopt the school furniture before the year ends.</p><p>“Imagine kung lahat ng schools sa Pilipinas may Silyang Pinoy, ‘yong mga taong pupunta doon during calamities, ma-e-ensure natin na may higaan na maayos, dry, at nakaangat sila sa lupa… Sana makita nila ‘yong value [nito] na talagang makakatulong ‘to sa atin,” he told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>DOST-FPRDI is open to any government agencies, organizations, or companies interested in adopting or supporting the rollout of &quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; to further boost its demand and functionality.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PILOT TESTING</strong></div><p>Two years after its initial launch, a total of 24 chairs and 18 tables of &quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; were distributed to elementary and secondary schools in Apayao, Camiguin, and Palawan for pilot testing.</p><p>“After ilang days, bumalik tayo doon para i-post-test din sila; so far, positive naman ‘yong mga naging results ng ating tests,” said Marasigan.</p><p>DOST Day Care Center (DDCC) also received around 15 chairs and 15 tables that pupils utilized as a chair-and-table set, a bed, and even a platform stage to test and prove its durability.</p><p>Meanwhile, local governments of Bohol, Bukidnon, and Zamboanga Del Sur conducted training to learn how the desk-bed furniture is made.</p><p>There is also an ongoing discussion with Negros Oriental government, which expressed interest in adoption, and an upcoming pilot testing in Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga Del Sur, for next year.</p><p>&quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; won a silver award at the Seoul International Invention Fair 2024 in South Korea and was among the many bamboo innovations presented at the European Bamboo Expo 2025 in Germany.</p><p>In 2026, Marasigan is set to present &quot;Silyang Pinoy&quot; in Barcelona, Spain, at the International Conference on Environmental Science &amp; Research (EnviWorld 2026).</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1BvjApID9Uc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4APja13x8fw?&amp;t=85s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Engr. Edward Paul Marasigan, project leader of "Silyang Pinoy," said it was designed with two main objectives: to empower the local bamboo industry and to assist evacuees during calamities.</p>

Engr. Edward Paul Marasigan, project leader of "Silyang Pinoy," said it was designed with two main objectives: to empower the local bamboo industry and to assist evacuees during calamities.

DOST introduces 'Silyang Pinoy,' eyes full adoption in PH schools

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DOST introduces 'Silyang Pinoy,' eyes full adoption in PH schools

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Alessandra Reodique

Published Dec 08, 2025 11:35 AM PHT

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Silyang Pinoy

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