TUGUEGARAO CITY (September 10)—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) and the National Industry Cluster Council for Bamboo launched the first-ever Philippine Bamboo Month celebration in a virtual opening program on September 9, 2022.
DTI Region 2 said the program was attended by a total of 249 enthusiasts from DTI regional and provincial offices, regional line agencies, local government units, regional and provincial bamboo councils, bamboo farmers, civil society groups, the academe, and bamboo stakeholders and personalities.
During the opening program, DTI Region 2 Director Leah Pulido Ocampo encouraged everyone to discover the wonders of bamboo as an economic and environmental resource, and to celebrate the blazing future of the bamboo industry.
Also the DTI Region 2-NICC for Bamboo head, Ocampo expressed thanks to all partners and stakeholders involved in bamboo-related initiatives and interventions.
“We are hoping for the continued success of all bamboo endeavors in the country,” she said.
Tirso Parian Jr., Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) director, also lauded and expressed thanks to the DTI Region 2-NICC for Bamboo for hosting such a significant event.
Parian gave assurance that the DENR-FMB will ensure the delivery of effective protection, development and conservation of forest lands and watersheds; the formulation and issuance of sound policies for forest management and forest governance; and for all FMB-led activities to uphold the importance of and opportunities in bamboo.
DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary and Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council executive committee chair Blesila Lantayona emphasized how World Bamboo Day brought the bamboo industry to its elevated exposure.
She said this has promoted the propagation of bamboo, ensured its sustainable development and utilization, and encouraged utilization for both its traditional and innovative uses.
Lantayona also urged bamboo enthusiasts to collaborate to realize the bountiful and progressive bamboo industry.
Speaking on the topic of “Bamboo and Beyond: The Future of Bamboo in the Philippine Bamboo Industry,” Fr. Victor Labao, Founder of the Kabilin Nature Farms and Bamboo Center, enumerated highlights of the bamboo industry’s progress and development over the years.
Labao said the industry’s progress and development included innovations in propagation and use of technology which encouraged partners to participate in the advocacy, among others.
He also revealed that some groups are claiming to be bamboo advocates who take advantage of bamboo enthusiasts by selling them underdeveloped planting materials that are practically dead when they reach the said enthusiasts.
“This leaves a distasteful impression about the true goals of bamboo advocacy,” Labao said sharing recommendations on what the industry could take on to achieve its full potential.
He said the industry can deal with land use matters, budgeting and investments, more sets of capability training, proper selection and identification of bamboo materials for specific products, further studies and research, and credible inventory, which government agencies can lead on.
“The future is truly bright when both the public and private sectors work harder and are more courageous, creative, daring and generous,” Labao said.
Messages of support were also expressed during the program from flourishing bamboo enterprises.
These are the Kawayan Collective, Base Bahay Foundation, CUBO Modula, and Modern Bamboo, as well as bamboo experts and personalities such as Rene “Butch” Madarang, Corazon “Coratec” Tecson Jimenez of the Philippine Bamboo Society of Advocates, Inc., Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council officer Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, and lawyer Dulce Punzalan, World Bamboo Ambassador. LEANDER C. DOMINGO