The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Digdig Campus is pushing to use dayami or rice hay to make paper bags.

The said project originated at the NEUST Digdig Campus in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, and was posted by content creator Susana Olsim Guiniling in social media, which gained traction.

NEUST Carranglan Off-Campus Chairman of Research and Extension Office Guia Felix Alputan said that the reason why they used dayami as material for paper bag was to utilize waste products from harvesting rice and create additional livelihood to farmers.

She said that the campus has been preparing the projects for months before launching it publicly.

During a seminar held at the campus on November 19, 2025, the proponents of the project provided training on the process of making paper bag using rice hays.

She furthered that aside from providing alternative livelihood, the project aims to lessen the use of plastic bags that often litter the canals and rivers.

She said that once the paper bag is drenched in water, the product can still be used as fertilizer to plants.

The official expressed her gratitude to campus coordinator Dr. Abraham Pascua who led and supported the project.

She added that without the full support of Pascua, the project would not have been possible.