Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. (BASE), a global leader in bamboo construction, and the Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) inaugurated the NVC Food Processing Center in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. The opening of the 117-square-meter food processing facility marked a significant milestone as the first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-compliant structure built using Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT).
The facility is set to revolutionize local agricultural practices and boost farmer income as it showcases the immense potential of bamboo as a sustainable and resilient construction material. The facility generates 10-20 opportunities for women and directly benefits the 60 members of the Bukidnon Farmers Association (BOFA), primarily farmers, who are currently working at the facility. Through this center, farmers are already experiencing a significant 20-40% increase in their monthly income, translating to an additional Php 1,000-3,000 for each farmer.
“This opening shows how we can combine new ideas, help communities, and build sustainably,” said Maricen Jalandoni, BASE President and Hilti Foundation Asia Liaison. “The NVC Food Processing Center shows what’s possible when we use green building methods to help local communities. It shows that bamboo can build not just homes but also important industrial infrastructure that creates a lasting social impact.”
The center will turn local crops into high-value products, including dehydrated vegetable powders (like squash, malunggay, carrots) and powdered ingredients for Mingo Meals, which help address childhood malnutrition. The center also promotes a circular economy by making organic fertilizer from vegetable peels and recovering seeds for replanting. This way, farmers don’t have to transport raw crops, which saves money and effort and provides them with a sustainable livelihood.
“Our vision for this food processing center has always been to build strong, self-sufficient farming communities,” said Millie Kilayko, NVC President. “Working with BASE has brought that dream to life, enabling farming families to earn money and hold good jobs right where they live, without needing to migrate to cities.”
The NVC Food Processing Center highlights BASE’s commitment to participatory planning. Collaborating closely with NVC and BOFA, BASE ensured the facility’s design was not only efficient and culturally integrated but also met the stringent requirements of the FDA for an industrial space.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Building with Bamboo
The NVC Food Processing Center highlights BASE’s leadership in bamboo construction and its Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology. This project demonstrates its versatility beyond residential structures, proving its viability for special and industrial facilities.
“Bamboo is a game-changer in sustainable construction,” said Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez, BASE General Manager. “Its rapid growth, high strength-to-weight ratio, and ability to absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide make it an ideal alternative to conventional materials, especially with rising costs. “
BASE has already built over 2,000 CBFT homes in the Philippines and other countries. These homes have sheltered over 10,000 people and saved 35,000 tons of CO2. CBFT homes are tested to be strong against typhoons (can handle Category 5 and winds up to 250 kmph), earthquakes (can handle up to Magnitude 8.4), fire (up to 120 minutes), and insect infestations. They also provide good thermal comfort, helping families save on energy.
This technology is AITECH-accredited under the National Housing Authority (NHA), which means it is a good alternative for housing. Beyond homes, CBFT can also be used for livelihood centers, community centers, offices, and schools. This demonstrates the technology’s flexibility and the potential of bamboo in construction.
The opening of the NVC Food Processing Center is a testament to BASE’s ongoing mission: to provide alternative building technologies that help partners build quality, comfortable, affordable, disaster-resilient, and ecologically friendly structures that truly help communities. For more information on Base Bahay Foundation, Inc. and ongoing projects, visit www.base-builds.com.
