GUIGUINTO, Bulacan (PIA) — Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. led the opening of the country’s first local government owned and managed tissue culture laboratory for ornamental plants in Guiguinto, the Garden Capital of Bulacan.
The iLAB Guiguinto is located beside the Tabang interchange in the terminus of the North Luzon Expressway and its connection with the Manila North Road.
Solidum said that with the completion and full opening of the facility, the DOST shall ensure its sustainability and continuous success by formulating a business plan.
“We will help the ornamental planter-beneficiary to nurture the variety that was developed by the iLAB and ensure the value added to the plant,” he furthered.
Since the start of the partial operation of the iLAB in 2021, it has already produced a new variety of ornamental plants such as Vanilla planifolia, Pinguicula sethos, and Drosera spatulata.
DOST Provincial Director Angelita Parungao disclosed that construction of the three-story, round-shaped structure started in 2020 through a joint undertaking by the DOST, Municipal Government of Guiguinto, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Funding sources for the construction of the facility came from the P9.7 million allocated by the municipal government, and P23 million from the multiyear allocation of the DPWH from 2021-2023.
“On the part of the DOST, we already provided P5.87 million in the previous years for the procurement of equipment required for the operation of this laboratory for ornamental plants,” Parungao added.
There is also a fresh P3 million funding for the additional equipment included in the 2026 National Expenditure Program that was approved by the Department of Budget and Management.
The iLAB Guiguinto will also be the new site of the DOST Bulacan Provincial Science and Technology Office. (CLJD/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
