Hello! My name is Melody Aguiba. Writing has been my passion throughout life. To be able to help institutions grow in their missions, I opted to become a Public Relations person. Here’s what businessman and politician Donald Trump said of the importance of PR:
“You can have the most wonderful product in the world, but if people don’t know about it, it’s not going to be worth much. You need to generate interest, and you need to create excitement. One way is to hire PR people…If the New York Times writes even a moderately positive one-column story about one of my deals, it doesn’t cost me anything, and its worth a lot more than $40,000.”
Of course PR has no cost if you do it for yourself. But even if you hire one, it’s still most cost effective. And the most important thing is its value is worth a lot more!
I hope you will get passionate too about the stories we write about—the products and causes we will share. We hope knowing about them will be valuable for you, your home, your job, and your world!
For I will make many interesting business and socio-economic development missions more meaningful, relevant to our world, and even exciting!
Production of biotechnology crops in the Philippines fell heftily by 21% to 642,000 hectares due to the proliferation of counterfeit Bt corn seeds that had taken up an estimated 10% of the market for registered seeds.
The International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA) reported that while biotechnology area globally sustained growth by 3% to 189.8 million hectares, the local market fell as seven companies are reportedly involved in fake seed production.
Yet, the Philippines is still now one of world’s largest biotechnology producer at thirteenth place.
Monsanto, the pioneer biotechnology developer of Bt corn, the only genetically modified (GM—or biotechnology) crop commercialized in the country, is continuing to seek Department of Agriculture’s (DA) assistance in stopping fake seeds production.
“Under the regulations, only registered seeds may be distributed to the market. Presence of counterfeit seeds is a disincentive to technology developers that have put in their investments,”said Gabriel O. Romero, Monsanto regulatory affairs chief, said in a press briefing.
Aside from the concern on fake seeds, ISAAA Vice Chairman Paul S. Teng said governments, especially developing countries like the Philippines, should improve other regulations in GM crops.
One major concern is the need to speed up approval of biotechnology crops in order to arrest opportunity losses placed at cost of $1.5 trillion by 2050 in low and lower middle income countries.
“Governments are concerned on the safety, access and profitability of biotech crops, as well as local interests on biodiverisity protection and trade competitiveness. Hence, regulations become stringent which stifle access of farmers to the technology and its economic benefits,” noted ISAAA.
“Suppression of the technology in Africa is equal to $2.5 billion from 2008 to 2013. Delays in Golden Rice release in India alone costs $199 million per year. This is in the form of health costs. This is also hurting education because health is most important for learning in early childhood. It impacts cognitive development,” Teng said.
The non-adoption of Bt eggplant in India is costing it $500 million per year.
Biotechnology crops commercialization approval have slowed under certain conditions as some sectors fear an adverse effect on health and the environment as genes are transferred from one species to another under GM.
Breeding experts asserted though that GM has extremely strict regulatory policy especially in the Philippines where GM crops go through scrutiny for adverse health effects like allergenicity and toxicity. These also go through testing on effects to the environment and biodiversity and substantial equivalence (comparison to non-GM crops in nutrient content).
Teng stressed that benefits to ecosystem of GM crops is huge with 183 million hectares saved from destruction due to higher yield from these crops that require a smaller area for a bigger yield.
GM crops have also cut carbon dioxide emission equivalent to 16.7 million cars off the road. There is also a reduction of use of insecticides-pesticides by 18.4% from 1996 to 2016.
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Moreover, gains of farmers have grown by $186.1 billion in the form of increased yield and income largely from Bt corn, GM soybean, Bt cotton. These have helped 16 to 17 million small farmers globally and their families totaling 65 million.
Teng also cited opportunity costs of non-adoption of biotech canola in Australia is estimated at $377.9 million.
Florida-based Rizome Philippines is investing a whopping $100 million (P5.5 billion) for an enginereed bamboo plant in Cagayan de Oro even as it supports government’s move to prioritize House Bill 7941 passage for bamboo sector development.
Former Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., a global investor at Rizome Philippines through subsidiary Bamboo Ecologic Export Corp (BEEP), is bringing in cutting edge, proprietary technology in bamboo wood manufacturing.
Rizome is progressively infusing capital from $20 million to $100 million in its Cagayan de Oro plant. “I became a global investor cause I want to bring the best technology here. I don’t want the Philippines to be second class. The investment is big. But (even now) our business is already a billion peso industry. And it employs thousands,” said Lorenzo. Lorenzo just met with Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano who has been pushing for priority legislation to institutionalize execution of Executive Order 879 issued in 2010. Savellano just reported that the Lower House approved on second reading House Bill 7941, promoting the development of the sector. It buttresses the provisions of EO 879 which aimed to seize a $8 billion bamboo market dominated by China. Lorenzo seconded efforts to make bamboo a priority industry. Appointed Department of Agriculture secretary in 2002, Lorenzo ran one of Philippines’ biggest banana export firms, Lapanday, and pineapple firm Del Monte prior to appointment.
“Please make bamboo a priority. I hope government would be friendly toward a new industry. Government is technically pushing housing. Why not import-substitute all the components of housing construction,” he said. Despite China’s vast bamboo plantation, Lorenzo said Philippines can compete with any country in the world in bamboo wood quality. This is particularly with the Giant Aster species that grow abundantly all over Mindanao.
Former Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr, Rizome International global investor, shows the many forms of engineered bamboo lumber. Credit-Melody Aguiba
“I came across group of Americans who for 13 years were producing from Vietnam high-end, prefabricated homes made of bamboo. The same group studied ways by which bamboo can be re engineered using technology. After 13 years, they finally decided after visiting Brazil, Indonesia, China, India that the Philippines has the best bamboo.” Rizome produces panels, boards, veneers, and strand woven made of giant asper bamboo. An important priority policy is to make bamboo a recognized construction material in the implementation of the Building Code. This, as engineered bamboo is a proven technology strong as steel, tough as concrete, fire resistant, water resistant, pest free, and is even beautiful as hardwood. Rizome International is financing its investments in the Philippines through loans, “offset credits” for capital equipment startup and operational expenses. Rizome’s bamboo manufactures are shipped in container loads to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. As the passenger terminal of the Mactan Cebu International Airport became the first airport in Asia made entirely of lamellar wood, Rizome is being introduced in the Philippines as global standard quality wood. “Because you heard about the beauty of Cebu and Clark airports, we want to introduce bamboo to the Philippines as our national identify. The beams and all that –we make all of these. We make these bullet proof. We can make beams as long as you like. No more steel, no more concrete,” Lorenzo said. Also top among incentives government can do to encourage investments in bamboo plantations and manufacturing is the easier processing of 25 to 50 years of forest management contracts (Industrial Forest Management Agreements, Community Based Forest Management Agreements.) Huge ancestral domain lands for bamboo should also be identified by government to give livelihood to rural people and Indigenous People. Local government units (LGUs) who can have a significant contribution to bamboo sector’s development should be creative to encourage their constituents to plant bamboo, Lorenzo said. Savellano, through PBIDC and the entity he founded, Kilusang 5K Foundation, has earlier put up a Technical Working Groups (TWGs) primarily for production and propagation of bamboo all over the country. The TWG also works on bamboo’s industry and commerce and training of workforce for bamboo propagation and processing. Rizome buys bamboo slats of agrarian reform beneficiaries who have planted bamboo in Bukidnon, North Cotabato, Agusan provinces, and Surigao province. It also buys bamboo from communities in mining areas. Rizome enginereed bamboo keeps up with premiere architectural specifications, equalling “quality, strength, durability of steel and concrete.” Through an infusion of clean mineral salts, Rizome pressure treats bamboo fibers to totally efface insect and mold from the wood. It is a treatment tested by the Washington State University. A finalist to the Musk Foundation’s XPrize, the Rizome Bamboo Project in the Philippines can win the grand prize of $50 million for its carbon offset efforts. It has been chosen as candidate among 60 others for the potential of bamboo farms to sequester 400 tons of carbon dioxide per year. “Our goal is to have planted 10 miilion bamboo clumps by 2030 for a 10-year carbon drawdown of over 26 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of the greenhouse gas emissions of 5.654 million cars in a year,” according to Rizome.
PHOTO (Above( Former Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr, Rizome International global investor, lifts engineered bamboo wood to demonstrate its light weight, yet highly durable quality. Credit-Melody Aguiba
Former Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr.,(third from left) leader of Florida-based Rizome Philippines, explores with Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano (first from left) vast opportunities to export and create jobs for sustainable, engineered bamboo (known to be strong as steel, sturdy as concrete, beautiful as hardwood) now exported as sophisticated construction material to the United States. Also in photo is PBIDC Executive Director Rene Butch Madarang (fourth from left).
A technology transfer program has been pursued by the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) with private firms as Base Bahay and local government for the development of bamboo for low to high-end products– fiber, housing, fuel, and biomass.
In an Usapang Kawayan forum held in Mendez, Cavite, more bamboo partnerships are reported to be pursued for bamboo technology sharing and commercialization, according to PBIDC Vice Chairperson Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
These potentially growing tie-ups also include research agencies like Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), and local government units (LGU) as Miag ao, Iloilo and Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte.
Sustainable, socialized housing using bamboo has been shown possible by Base Bahay Innovation in its bamboo villages in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City and Estancia and Jaro, Illoilo, among others. The houses are disaster-resilient designed to resist typhoons.
“This is a very good program to support President (Ferdinand) Marcos’s program for housing so that more socialized houses can be built,” said Savellano.
To further advance the use of bamboo in modern housing, the Philippine Institute of Architects, in a program called “Bamboo’s Tahanang Kawayan,” has been tapped to integrate bamboo in its designs for more sophisticated housing materials.
Consultation between PBIDC and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has started to look into cement bamboo frame technology as construction material for socialized housing.
Also in discussion on possible bamboo partnership for housing is with former Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr. who now runs Rizome Philippines.
For the manufacture of engineered bamboo for home finishing and construction material, Rizome Philippines supplies a type of giant bamboo, Dendrocalamus asper, to international partners, particularly in Florida, United States.
The government has been strengthening the function of PBIDC since it was convened on Dec. 22, 2022 by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual to fulfill its mandate to contribute to industrial development under Executive Order 879.
As PBIDC practically has yet to be budgeted by government, a proposed budget has been filed with Philippine exports Federation (Philexport). Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Leah P. Ocampo has also led the crafting of resolutions on a more robust PBIDC function.
Congressman Joeman Alba of Bukidnon will refile the PBIDC bill (House Bill 9576, Senate Bill 605) which will institutionalize PBIDC as the umbrella organization to steer bamboo to its industrial development role.
Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub. Credit- PTRI
Bamboo for energy
For the possible use of bamboo for charcoal as fuel and for biomass, PBIDC has been in talks with Dr. N. Barathi who has developed India’s Beema bamboo for its use as one of the best sources of generating energy. In the Philippines, the Bayog bamboo species, Bambusa spinosa, may be the equivalent of Beema bamboo for renewable energy– biomass for heating and cooking.
FPRDI has also a developed a technology on bamboo’s use for charcoal or fuelwood. Its bamboo charcoal is cheaper, energy-efficient and is ecology-friendly. Upland people do not have to do kaingin (forest burning) to produce cooking fuelwood.
For the propagation of bamboo, a tissue culture technology of the FPRDI is planned to be adopted in PBIDC’s own bamboo plantation program such as those in Karugo, Puray, and Upper Marikina Watershed in general. Tissue culture will enable massive seedling production.
Bamboo fiber
For bamboo fiber, PBIDC is partnering with New York-based Filipino-American fashion designer and textile technologist Anthony Legarda. He has worked with the PTRI and advanced the development of abaca fiber and other indigenous materials.
“What is good with bamboo for fiber is recovery is big at 35% per pole, while recovery in abaca and other fibers is only at 2%,” said Savellano.
The Environment Research and Development Bureau’s (ERDB) Bambusetum in Los Banos is also eyed to be replicated by PBIDC nationally.
“Where can you find such place with the genetic resource of such large number of bamboo species? It is good to replicate this Bambusetum of ERDB because many of these species grow in different locations all over the country,” said Savellano.
Irene Marcos Araneta, herself President Marcos’s sister, is involved in the development of bamboo for fiber. She may enter into similar collaboration with PBIDC in order to give more livelihood to Ilocos Region weavers.
PBIDC Vice Chairman DV Savellano, PBIDC Exec. Dir. Rene Madarang visits a DTI Shared Service Facility in Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija producing bamboo slats for housing
These are other possible partnerships:
1. Health Undersecretary Camilo Cascolan will explore the natural properties of bamboo as medicinal plant.
2. For bamboo planting expansion, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Pasay City LGU eye the planting of bamboo for urban landscaping and livelihood for urban dwellers.
The University of the Philippines Manila Alumni Association is also supporting bamboo planting for its “Adopt a Estero” program led by PBIDC Executive Director Rene Madarang. Planting programs are also being discussed with the National Movement of Young Legislators.
3. PBIDC and KIlusang 5K Foundation have been meeting with different Local Government Unit (LGU) heads for a Kawayan Karavan and Lakbay Aral for the exploration and development of bamboo for varied uses. In Nueva Ecija, the Kawayan Karavan was held in plantations and shared service facility in Gen. Tinio and Fort Magsaysay.
4. To market bamboo products internationally, a potential partnership is with Davao Investment and Tourism Center and Mindanao Development Authority.
This– along with CITEM (Center for International trade exhibitions and Mission), Pampanga Furniture Makers led by Myrna Bituin that participated in the 2023 Philippine International Furniture Show, and Tourism Alliance Group (TAG) which promotes eco farm tourism and bamboo in their tourist destination meetings.
5. Manila Water , which has a major function to protect water sources from watersheds, is eyed to collaborate with PBIDC on planting programs.
6. The bamboo manufacturers of Maasin, Iloilo which produce charcoal briquettes, toothpick, chopstick, and barbeque sticks may be able to share their technology to other entrepreneurs through a link with PBIDC.
The Pangabuhian Weaving and Fiber processing center in Miag-ao, Iloilo may support a similar collaboration.
7. A PBIDC visit to Davao Bamboo Sanctuary and participation in Davao Bootcamp may turn out for the further use of bamboo for housing and other industries. 8. Another possible partnership is with the academe — the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology for the development of bamboo for varied uses. PBIDC may further support the First Gen Hydropower Corp. which has a bamboo plantation in Pantabangan Dam, Nueva Ecija. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
FEATURED PHOTO Former Agriculture Sec. Luis P. Lorenzo Jr. who now runs Rizome Philippines meets with PBIDC Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, PBIDC Exec. Dir. Rene Madarang. Rizome Philippines supplies bamboo to Florida-based maker of engineered bamboo.
Multilateral financier World Bank has urged government to give incentives for private sector to invest in climate smart agriculture and renewable energy and to tap ESG bonds to finance climate actions countering disasters.
Presenting its Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) 2022 in a forum of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), World Bank officials stressed government has to raise access of climate financing to private sector.
That along with making investment policies for climate action attractive and encouraging access particularly to ESG bonds.
“Public and private investments are needed to finance adaptation through climate-resilient infrastructure. Financing mitigation measures from private sector should be incentivized by new regulatory technology-push and demand-pull policies,” said Souleymane Coulibaly, World Bank project leader and lead economist, at the SEARCA forum.
“On the private side, issuing ESG bonds under the recently introduced Sustainability Financing Framework could leverage private financing for climate actions.”
ESG bonds (environmental, social, governance) are generally part of sustainability financing supported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Eligible green expenditures are clean transportation, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower).
Dr. Stefano Pagiola, World Bank senior environmental economist, also said at the SEARCA forum that attractiveness to farmers of climate smart agriculture practices should be improved as these have triple wins.
These are higher productivity, higher resilience, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Some policies must be avoided. A policy for farmers not to pay for water does not give farmers incentives to use water efficiently.
In Luzon and Cordillera, a technology that may have higher financial return for farmers is the use of blight resistant white potatoes in crop rotation with green cabbage and rainwater harvesting.
Financial return is estimated at more than P500,000 per hectare.
In Visayas and Cordillera, another technology with good financial return is rice-onion crop rotation with the use of early maturing rice.
Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, SEARCA director, said that talks on climate policies are now so critical. He himself has been immersed since 1986 in developing adaptation solutions to climate challenge.
“Sustainable Development Goal 13 for climate action is close to my heart. I have been a plant breeder for abiotic stresses, (developing rice) for drought tolerance, submergence tolerance, and salt tolerance,” said Gregorio.
Climate change adaptation techniques in agriculture enable crops to withstand increasing temperature from global warming and receding rainfall.
Gregorio stressed collaboration from the academe and industries are important to promote sustainable practices.
Focus on benefitting the poorest
The poorest population will be the most adversely affected by climate disasters– with consumption reducing by almost 9% compared to the richer population’s lower 6%.
As such, solutions should prioritize the poorest, along with women, for their target beneficiaries.
Climate smart agriculture benefits Credit-World Bank
The Philippines is extremely vulnerable to erratic climate change, with temperature that has risen by two 0.68 degrees C (Centigrade), further rising by 1-3 degrees C, on various scenarios.
As financing the cost of climate solutions is extremely high, total gross domestic product (GDP) of the Philippines is foreseen by 2030 to shrink by 7.6% than what it should be in the absence of climate shocks, the World Bank experts said.
The good news is climate solutions are well-known as the Climate Change Act (RA9729) has been ratified 15 years ago.
For Philippines, these include no construction in flood-prone or coastal areas and prohibition of water facility built-up in areas where ground water is shallow—where land subsidence is high.
Other solutions are investing in irrigation and in farm technologies that emit less greenhouse gas (such as methane produced in rice farms).
“When you apply the solutions, you reduce the cost of climate change by two-thirds. (The other) one-third is inevitable,” said Coulibaly.
“You see a lot of opportunities for win-win solutions like scaling renewable energy to reinforce energy security and reduce the cost of electricity.”
Mitigation measures
With climate change mitigation measures, ominous predictions on GDP could be reversed.
Mitigation actions that reduce greenhouse gas emission such as from the use of renewable energy and electrifying transport GDP could increase by about 0.5 percent and generate about 80,000 jobs in 2040.
These measures have a positive impact on GDP if carbon tax revenues are used for investment, said Coulibaly.
To enhance budget procurement, government can also use green public procurement and “layered Disaster Risk Financing Strategy.”
“Setting a moderate price of $5 per ton of carbon dioxide could signal firms to adopt low carbon technologies while raising revenues of up to 0.4 percent of GDP per year.”
Renewable energy
Reducing power rates is a significant factor for Philippines’ competitiveness. Decarbonizing brings enormous savings in health costs as it reduces pollution.
The greatest reduction in emission of greenhouse gas is from converting transport to electricity. Reduction in GHG may reach 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent given renewable energy investments up to 2050. This entails electrifying 90% of public transport and 72% of private vehicles with $100 billion investment.
Other climate solutions are scaling up mass transit, additional bike lanes and non-motorized transport, promoting inter-regional passenger and freight rail, and promoting telecommunity through Internet access.
Local approach
Aside from the private sector, local government units (LGU) should be empowered and trained in capability for climate actions.
“It’s important to get down to the local level. You need numerous localized interventions to address local climate change realities,” said Coulibaly.
Forum participants asserted LGUs should invest too in climate actions as the Mandanas Ruling is enabling these to have increased budget.
International financing—concessional and grant– may be limited given many countries’ need for the climate actions.
“Financing should be concessional to sweeten investment that government wants to do.”
Urban development
Pagiola said another key sector that must be addressed and financed is urban development as 50% of Filipinos live in urban areas. Construction in floodplains vulnerable to storm surges must be avoided.
Water infrastructure should also be beefed up.
“Improving water storage is not only an infrastructure (solution) but also one of watershed management, along with forest cover improvement. Their benefits are resilience, diversifying biodiversity, and carbon sequestration,” said Pagiola.
There is increasing risk of hunger as food price rises. So, farm technologies and their financing should be attractive to farmers. The poor and women will be most vulnerable due to agriculture’s dependence on climate and rainfall.
Right incentives include using environmental taxes to discourage harmful activities, removing regulatory obstacles to private sector climate action, attracting foreign investors, and strengthening finance sector’s financing capability .
Training on green jobs should be made available, along with improving resilience of education system and introducing climate-sensitive health policies. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
A Filipino-designed electric bike (EB) brand-named “Banatti” that uses innovative, environmentally sustainable bamboo is seen to pave the way to Philippines’ being a globally known producer of world class bamboo products.
Speaking in an “Usapang Kawayan” bamboo forum, Christopher Paris Lacson, Banatti EB’s creator, said the trendy motorcycle is just the beginning of a highly promising sector that has the potential to catapult Philippines to industrialization.
“A bike like this can inspire the young, the leaders, the countrymen, and the industries to say ‘Kaya pala yan’ (It can be done!),” said Lacson. “It’s not (just) about making money. It’s about making us proud. We can have our own. We’re creative. We’re smart. We’re intelligent.”
The team that developed Banatti Green Falcon chose to use bamboo as “it is the mandate of the country.”
“This God-given supergrass is one of our tickets out of poverty. When people see a picture of Banatti Green Falcon, it brings an incredible feeling. Something goes on to their mind, something shifts,” said Lacson.
The dream of using bamboo as a jump-off point for Philippines’ development of rural-based industries is a much practical vision due to the abundance of bamboo in the Philippines, said Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
Single engine, light experimental aircraft built and designed by Antonio de Leon in the 1950s
Through his Kilusang 5K (Kawayan: Kalikasan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kinabukasan), Savellano hosts Usapang Kawayan in order to sustain brain storming on bamboo development as envisioned by Executive Order 879 since 2010.
“If you analyze, kawayan is not like other plants as jatropha that government once asked us to grow. We have taken kawayan. You see it in every barangay, but no one plants,” Savellano said. “That’s why we’re fighting for kawayan. It’s not that we don’t want other plants. But let’s prioritize kawayan because planting it brings results.”
The equivalent of a P20 million-worth farm-to-market project makes for a big expansion in bamboo planting. For one, the 20-hectare plantation project of Kilusang 5K in Karugo, Montalban just costs P1.5 million, even initially.
“What will you plant? The hardwood that you will harvest in 10-20 years, or the bamboo that you can harvest in 3-4 years? And we already have many existing clumps. With the proper management, you can benefit economically immediately.”
Durable body shell
The Banatti Green Falcon, crafted by Lacson in 2017, has a body shell made of highly durable, elegant-looking, light-weight (four kilo only versus 2-3x more weight in metal ) bamboo.
Bamboo mobile designed by the old Department of Transportation
Its body shell that is made of bamboo may just be worth P5,000. But using bamboo in sophisticated, industrial products can bring about tremendous multiplier effect on the economy.
“The bamboo that created the body shell of the motorcycle may just be worth P5,000. But someone has to plant it. Someone has to cut it. Someone has to bring it to the place where we bought it from. Just this, and there are four levels of job across spectrum,” said Lacson.
“In industries like furnishing or automotive, there are so many tentacles, many roots involved in the design of the product.”
If other nationalities such as the Germans of Porsche find value in natural materials such as bamboo for vehicles, much more should the Philippines find value in its own indigeneous plant.
An advantage of bamboo body shell to complement an electric motorcycle as in Banatti is it can install a good sound system that can enable one to hear music very well, unlike gasoline-run ones.
Lacson himself said the Philippines has long been a pioneer of industrial bamboo design as cited by a local newspaper in the early 1950s.
Filipino Antonio de Leon designed a single-engine, light experimental aircraft XL-14-MAYA. It used a type of woven bamboo called WOBEX, woven bamboo experimental.
Another product is the bamboo mobile, a type of jeepney spearheaded by the Department of Transportation of long ago. Its body is made of bamboo. Bambu Batu (House of Bamboo) cites many other modern, fashionable furniture and clothing products made of bamboo.
Now that climate-related disasters have shown Philippines’ vulnerability, much more should Philippines tap now what is native and ecologically sustainable.
“History tells us about the ‘ugong’ created by kawayan. If that has once been happening in Pasig (where bamboo plants in Barangay Ugong hold on relentlessly to the soil and just create the wild ugong sound), why do we choose to spend millions for other projects?” said Savellano.
Infrastructure projects–like riprapping that protects soil from erosion– can cost much more money. Whereas, bamboo plants have been proven to control erosion.
With its rich network of roots and rhizomes and permanent canopy, bamboo protects the soil.
“(Bamboo’s root system) grows in the surface layer of the soil (20-60 centimeters deep) and can reach up to 100 kilometers per hectare. Rhizomes can survive for more than a century, allowing bamboo to regenerate even if stems would be cut or destroyed in a fire or storm,”
according to Guadua.bamboo.com.
EO 879
EO 879 envisioned bamboo to be a tool for industrialization based on agricultural development. Also, it should be planted as Philippines’ contribution Southeast Asia’s commitment to plant 20 million million hectares of new forest to improve the environment.
“Bamboo can be easily transformed into a cash crop for farmers… thereby alleviating poverty. The growing advocacy for green products is fueling the rapid growth of the US$8 billion per annum market for traditional and non-traditional bamboo products,” according to EO 879.
“(Bamboo) is fast becoming a cost effective and attractive complement and/or alternative to plastic, metal and wood materials and can generate more jobs and self-employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas.” (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
The Philippines should aspire to have UN-World Trade Organization-named “Best Tourism Villages” that help sustain rural economy and cultural traditions and support livelihood in the outskirts. Antonio Lopez de Avila, UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme coordinator, said at a tourism forum of the Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) that farm tourism will play a significant role in post-Covid rural development. As borders have started to open since countries imposed movement restrictions at the height of the pandemic, farm tourism will now play a big role in the recovery of economies. “We can use tourism as a powerful driver. People are discovering new routes. They do what they have not done before like harvest crops,” he said. One way to encourage rural towns to invest in tourism development is to provide incentives for rural areas to strive to qualify for the Best Tourism Villages, a United Nations WTO program. The Alula Framework for Inclusive Community Development through Tourism has been set up by the WTO, G20 Tourism Working Group, and the G20 Saudi Presidency in a vision to improve the livelihood of many people. The Alula Framework has a vision that livelihood generation can be achieved through education, investment, innovation, and technology in farm tourism sector. In the same SEARCA tourism forum titled “Unleashing Untapped Opportunities of Agrifood Tourism, Keneth de Gracia of the Department of Tourism (DOT) 4-A said the Philippines has already emerged as a top farm tourism destination. This has arisen due largely to the ratification of Republic Act 10816 or an “Act Providing for the Development and Promotion of Farm Tourism in the Philippines.” Even more, farm tourism is becoming popular especially among the youth who are exposed to a new face of agriculture. The pandemic has brought about awareness on agriculture’s role in sustaining food production, nutrition, and health. De Gracia said DOT has engaged in a technical cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO). This will come up with a standard module for capacity development in farm tourism. I will train people on farm tourism sites in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas Rizal, Quezon). Dr. Siti Fatimahwati Pehin Dato Musa, professor at Universiti Brunei Darusalam, also said at SEARCA’s agritourism forum that the current fast food culture has become a threat to food traditions. This is why there is a hunger for agritourism and farm-to-table (FTT) activities.
Farm tourists learn foraging in Temburong Jungle
SEARCA has engaged in discussions on agritourism even as SEARCA Director Glenn B. Gregorio said “agritourism is an innovative pathway to ISARD.” ISARD or inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development is the mandate of SEARCA when it was founded as a treaty organisation in 1966. Through the farm tourism sector, new markets are created for agricultural products, said Pehin Dato Musa. Traceability of food sources is strengthened, and transport of goods becomes shorter in distance and cheaper as communities get to be aware of farms’ presence. “FTT groups have been taking responsibility for promoting local artisans, local farmers, and local flavours through regional events such as taste workshops, wine and food tasting, and farmers’ markets.”
Best Tourism qualification
To qualify for the “Best Tourism Villages,” a candidate site should have a population of a maximum of 15,000 inhabitants. Its location should showcase traditional activities particularly agriculture, forestry, livestock, or fishing. As not all can be Best Tourism Villages winners, UNWTO gives support to candidates through partnerships that help improve a site after an evaluation. Among the benefits of the UNWTO program are training, sharing of good practices, participation in international events, networking, mentoring, and financing. The Best Tourism Villages provides guidance to governments and the private sector on putting up tourism policies through education, investment, innovation and technology to “transform the livelihoods of millions, while preserving our environment and culture.” UNWTO advances the role of tourism as it preserves “landscapes, knowledge systems, biological and cultural diversity, values and activities” in rural areas. De Avila said UNWTO’s secretary general Surab Pololikashvili stated that “tourism has proven to be a lifeline for many rural communities, but its true potential has yet to be realized.” According to the WTO, tourism accounts for 7% of world trade. It is among the most resilient sectors of the economy and generates millions of jobs.
Farm-to-table Pehin Dato Musa said farm-to-table activities in Southeast Asia include cooking classes, events, tours, markets and school or organization activities. Tourists get to value their heritage. People realize it is much safer to tour locally where farms are. “Agritourism farms in California can operate despite Covid 19 regulations. And 61% of revenue direct sales of agricultural products are delivered fresh to consumers.” One agritourism site in Brunei, Pehin Dato Musa cites, the Sumbiling Eco Village, is a protected rainforest. Its natives practice organic farming and agroforestry– planting native trees and bamboo. The Iban people’s food heritage also offers unique culinary experience. Tourists get the chance to look for edible or medicinal plants, stingless bee honey, and wild herbs in the deep forest as one activity. Farm tourism can develop infrastructure in rural areas. A big gap has been observed in the absence of electricity in rural areas compared to urban areas. Absence of electricity affects 638 million rural compared to 121 million urban people. Such big difference is true too in sanitation services and drinking water and financial services. Melody Mendoza Aguiba
A 30-hectare bamboo plantation in the Montalban upland in Sierra Madre mountain has been put up by a multi-sectoral group that aims to give live livehood to Dumagat tribes, replenish forestry and capture carbon, and help prevent Metro Manila flooding and climate disasters.
The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) is proposing to replicate nationwide the 20-hectare Karugo and 10-hectare Puray bamboo projects in Montalban.
It is part of the Marikina Watershed, a portion of the Sierra Madre mountains that hold the water without whose forests Marikina and the entire Metro Manila could be flooded.
The Karugo and Puray bamboo projects in Montalban, Rizal are an ideal multi-agency collaboration that involves minimal budget, according to PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
Yet it has harnessed and consolidated multiple resources that redounds to upland economic benefit.
“Our best examples (for bamboo propagation) are those in Puray and Karugo. It’s something that’s not difficult to do. It is a joint effort between government Rotary International, Indigenous People, and community. It’s a beautiful model that should be replicated all over the Philippines,” said Savellano.
Bamboo partnership between PBIDC, 5K Foundation, Rotary International (3780, 3830, 3800), Bamboo Professionals Inc., and Indigeous People (IP) belonging to the Samahan ng Kawayan sa Karugo Agri-Farmers Association (SAKKAFA) and Tribal Council Assn. of Puray Inc. (TCAPI).
Rotary raised a minimal P1.5 million in district grants for Karugo project.
The Kilusang 5K (Kawayan: Kalikasan, Kaunlaran, Kabuhayan, Kinabukasan) Foundation, founded by Savellano, has supported organization of Puray and Karugo projects. The bamboo propagules planted in 2022 in Karugo is estimated to multiply to 142,000 bamboo culms in five years and 228,000 culms in eight years.
Now that Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has reconvened PBIDC, Savellano said PBIDC is coordinating all bamboo projects and agencies. Thus, such replication can be implemented in every town in the country—as what has been done by Savellano’s former constituents in Ilocos Sur.
PBIDC has adopted the Montalban projects for its own collaborative, cost-effective model.
“We tapped the two community-based projects to establish nurseries and do plantation development,” said PBIDC Executive Director Butch Madarang.
“Using the convergence formula through consultation with different agencies, we’re able to engage everybody. We have an inclusive perspective. Our formula is to tap different agencies’ resources.”
Lead collaborator is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which identified the project site. Kilusang 5K tapped the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Bamboo Professionals Inc to train the IPs on bamboo propagation.
Instead of planting hardwood that takes 10-20 years to harvest, bamboo was chosen as it is harvestable in three years, generating income to the community.
More so, bamboo plants are climate disaster fighters. Bamboo, at four years old, has been proven to absorb 500 kilos of carbon dioxide yearly. It generates 300 kilos more of oxygen per year compared to other trees. Bamboo plants hold more water than other trees, helping prevent erosion and flooding. It has high survival rate due to endemicity and maintenance care.
Puray IPs who used to just cut bamboo plants relentlessly learn sustainable farming
The 10-hectare Puray project is now generating a P300 per day income for farmers who do potting for growing seedlings. While generating income from selling seedlings, the vision for the bamboo projects is to produce commercially viable products.
“We should venture first on basic products (before going to high-end sophisticated bamboo products like composites, fibers, engineered bamboo). For me, I will be happy enough if we’re able to produce bamboo chopsticks and barbecue sticks which we are importing even if we have many bamboo culms nationwide,” said Savellano.
The Montalban projects are part of the bigger Upper Marikina Watershed Project (five municipalities/cities in the Sierra Madre mountains). It covers an estimated 26,000 hectares. It is envisioned to address persistent flooding in Marikina and Metro Manila as a whole.
The watershed also protects the Wawa Dam which is capable of producing water for 500,000 households.
The Marikina watershed, while declared a protected area, has been extensively plagued by illegal logging, highly-destructive quarrying, and illegal settlement. These have worsened state of flooding in Metro Manila. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
A memorandum of agreement will be entered by the National Movement of Young Legislators Alumni Association (NMYLAA) for bamboo’s propagation on 1,500 towns nationwide as bamboo carbon offsets are now upheld by the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).
The NMYLAA is signing the MOA with the Department of Trade and Industry Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (DTI-PBIDC).
The program will be fulfilling a plan for many years now via Executive Order 879 to position bamboo not only as a primary climate tool and plant species against man-made disasters but as a crop for use as an industrial raw material.
“We are meeting this week with (DTI) Secretary (Alfredo) Pascual for this program to plant bamboo nationwide,” said PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
“We are adopting the Filipinism of Jose Rizal in Dapitan as we want to make our agriculture areas productive.”
The Philippines is a signatory to several global treaties on climate change including the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), and Paris Agreement (2015).
To align programs with these commitments, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued DENR Administrative Order 2021-43 on a carbon accounting and forest carbon project certification.
It is supporting investments in forest plantation activities that sequester carbon dioxide and avoid emissions from deforestation and degradation.
Correspondingly, the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) has supported carbon offsets for bamboo. It recognized bamboo can store substantial carbon. A 30-year giant bamboo plantation can 1.7 times the amount of carbon Chinese fir trees can produce.
“Countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas where bamboo grows, should make efforts to include bamboo in national and international carbon markets, as well as their national climate strategies,” INBAR said.
NMYLAA just held last February 11-12 a visioning in Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte that included strategic planning on bamboo.
NMYLA’As Project Climate Change is a mitigation (reduction of greenhouse gas emission) strategy focusing on bamboo due to its fast-growing nature. Bamboo will be used to enhance oxygen presence, reduce pollution, reduce flooding and disaster-related incidences, and improve soil condition.
Bamboo is envisioned to be used for biofuel, food, crafts. It can be developed as raw material for architectural and construction purposes, “ultimately playing a large role in the economy by creating job opportunities,” said Savellano.
The NMYLAA’s mission on Filipinism is also embraced. The innovations of national hero Jose Rizal in his exile in Dapitan, particularly on agriculture, infrastructure, education, and medicine are popularized.
Bamboo is also part of NMYLAA’s Project Disaster Preparedness and Project Farm Tourism.
“Barangays will have additional activity and will provide an additional source of income to communities. Farm tourism draws visitors to the barangay with activities as harvesting crops, feeding and caring for farm animals, fishing, camping, hiking, and sampling local cuisine (bamboo included,)” he said.
PBIDC will be reaching out to the grassroots through the bamboo production by tapping competent barangay leaders to carry this out.
The program can avail of prevailing government programs to support the bamboo propagation.
DENR DAO 2021-43 grants incentives to the private sector, upland organizations, and other entities in forest protection through verified carbon certificates. It will provide a standardized guidance for measurement of carbon projects. A registry for all forest carbon projects will be put up.
The DAO”s Carbon Accounting, Verification, and Certification System (CAVCS) harmonizes with the principles of the Philippine National Standard (PNS), Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Good Practice Guidance for Land Use.
CAVCS projects will have a life of a minimum of 20 years to guarantee stability and long term gain.
The government is funding Forest Carbon Project Plans of investors. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) is proposing to replicate nationwide the 20-hectare Karugo and 10-hectare Puray bamboo projects in Marikina Watershed which give livelihood to tribes and help prevent Metro Manila flooding.
The Karugo and Puray bamboo projects in Montalban, Rizal are an ideal multi-agency collaboration that involves minimal budget, according to PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
Yet it has harnessed and consolidated multiple resources that redounds to upland economic benefit and protects the environment.
“Our best examples (for bamboo propagation) are those in Puray and Karugo. It’s something that’s not difficult to do. It is a joint effort between government Rotary International, Indigenous People, and community. It’s a beautiful model that should be replicated all over the Philippines,” said Savellano.
Bamboo partnership between PBIDC, 5K, Rotary International 3780, Bamboo Professionals Inc., Puray IPs
Rotary raised a minimal P1.5 million in district grants for Karugo project.
The Kilusang 5K (Kawayan: Kalikasan, Kaunlaran, Kabuhayan, Kinabukasan) Foundation, founded by Savellano, has supported organization of Puray and Karugo projects. The bamboo propagules planted in 2022 in Karugo is estimated to multiply to 142,000 bamboo culms in five years and 228,000 culms in eight years.
Now that Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has reconvened PBIDC, Savellano said PBIDC is now coordinating all bamboo projects and agencies. Thus, such replication can implemented in every town in the country—as what has been done by Savellano’s former constituents in Ilocos Sur.
PBIDC has adopted the Montalban projects for its own collaborative, cost-effective model.
“We tapped the two community-based projects to establish nurseries and do plantation development,” said PBIDC Executive Director Butch Madarang.
“Using the convergence formula through consultation with different agencies, we’re able to engage everybody. We have an inclusive perspective. Our formula is to tap different agencies’ resources.”
Puray farmers earn P300 per day from potting for bamboo seedlings
Lead collaborator is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which identified the project site. Kilusang 5K tapped the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Bamboo Professionals Inc to train on bamboo propagation the IPs belonging to the Samahan ng Kawayan sa Karugo Agri-Farmers Association (SAKKAFA) and Tribal Council Assn. of Puray Inc. (TCAPI).
Instead of planting hardwood that takes 10-20 years to harvest, bamboo was chosen as it is harvestable in three years, generating income to the community.
More so, bamboo plants are climate disaster fighters. Bamboo, at four years old, has been proven to absorb 500 kilos of carbon dioxide yearly. It generates 300 kilos more of oxygen per year compared to other trees. Bamboo plants hold more water than other trees, helping prevent erosion and flooding. It has high survival rate due to endemicity and maintenance care.
Puray Indigenous People who used to just cut bamboo plants relentlessly learn sustainable farming
The 10-hectare Puray project is now generating a P300 per day income for farmers who do potting for growing seedlings. While generating income from selling seedlings, the vision for the bamboo projects is to produce commercially viable products.
“We should venture first on basic products (before going to high-end sophisticated bamboo products like composites, fibers, engineered bamboo). For me, I will be happy enough if we’re able to produce bamboo chopsticks and barbecue sticks which we are importing even if we have many bamboo culms nationwide,” said Savellano.
The Montalban projects are really part of the bigger Upper Marikina Watershed Project (five municipalities/cities in the Sierra Madre mountains). It covers an estimated 26,000 hectares. It is envisioned to address persistent flooding in Marikina and Metro Manila as a whole.
The watershed also protects the Wawa Dam which is capable of producing water for 500,000 households.
The Marikina watershed, while declared a protected area, has been extensively plagued by illegal logging, highly-destructive quarrying, and illegal settlement. These have worsened state of flooding in Metro Manila. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
The government is boosting investment interest for bamboo as it launches the Center Innovation and Technology for Enterprise (CITE) as a training center for the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council’s (PBIDC) capacity building and consultative programs.
To be launched in February 2023, the CITE facility of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be the home base for the sector.
It is the opportune time as bamboo is just starting to gain interest among private and public investors in light of the post Covid scenario and efforts to fight climate change, flooding, and natural disasters.
PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said bamboo is now being recognized as a new “tree of life” that gives livelihood to the poorest in the countryside. That includes even Indigenous People (IP)-occupied ancestral domains that dominate 30-to 40% of Philippines potential productive land.
“DTI Secretary (Alfredo) Pascual who has reconvened the PBIDC has thrown his support for our bamboo programs. Even non-government organizations have laid out their plans for the industry. The private sector is very serious about planting bamboo,” said Savellano.
CITE Bambusetum in Marikina City
The CITE facility in Marikina City houses training machines, equipment, function rooms, a dormitory for in-house training, and offices. The CITE also has a Bambusetum in Marikina City that showcases different bamboo varieties and their uses. It has been offering training on bamboo propagule production and bamboo product processing.
“Nobody used to give attention to bamboo before. With PBIDC now reconvened, bamboo programs will have continuity,” said PBIDC Executive Director Butch Madarang.
As involvement of local governments units (LGU) is crucial to bamboo planting, Savellano said the PBIDC executive committee is enjoining the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and League of Cities to be part of PBIDC. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA and the Climate Change Commission should also be part of it.
“There is a big demand for bamboo. There’s an urgency in what we’re doing. We want to develop the bamboo industry under President Marcos’s term, and we now only have 5.5 years.” Savellano said. “(That’s why) we have to make our programs inclusive. It should involve everybod,y as many who want to support the industry,” he said.
“If we can’t do it now, when else can it be done? President Marcos already made a declaration during the United Nations General Assembly that fighting climate change will be a priority of his administration. He made a call on his birthday on Sept 13, 2022 during the Nationwide Bamboo and Tree Planting Program for us to uphold environmental protection.”
Other members of PBIDC are the heads of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), among others. DTI heads the PBIDC.
The PBIDC bill under House Bill 9576 has been approved for third reading in the Lower House and transmitted to the Senate which had two hearings. But the national election has halted the proceedings. Nevertheless, the bill will be refiled in the 19th Congress.
While the bill has not yet been approved, PBIDC is putting up with tapping resources from different agencies that have a budget, albeit minimal, for different bamboo programs. DTI, for one, has programs for bamboo commercialization and processing, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has bamboo researches.
“Since the budget and programs for 2023 are yet being planned, we are appealing to the different agencies to include bamboo in their programs. The DA, for example, has declared bamboo as a high value crop. Bamboo should be included in its High Value Crop program,” Savellano said.
PBIDC has been created under Executive Order 879. However, a budget has yet to be allocated for bamboo under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). PBIDC is not included in the 2023 GAA.
Even then, Savellano, who is founder of Kilusang 5K (Kawayan: Kalikasan, Kaunlaran, Kabuhayan, Kinabukasan) Foundation, has pushed for bamboo programs including nursery establishment.
Kilusang 5K carried out community-based bamboo reforestation, production and nursery establishment in the Marikina Watershed and at Sitio Karugo, San Rafael, Rodriguez.
Bamboo-made furniture exhibited at CITE. Credit-Bamboo Network PH
Such bamboo production in Puray, Rodriguez was participated by indigenous people, the SaKKAFA non government organization, and the Council Assn of Puray Inc. Training was supervised by technology experts from the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Bamboo professionals. It was funded by the Rotary Foundation Grant of the Rotary International districts 3780 and 3830.
Kilusang 5K, along with Rotary and other stakeholders, decided to choose these locations as the deforestation in the Sierra Madre mountains has been known to cause flooding in Metro Manila.
“We are proud to have accomplished many things in the last two years with zero budget. Bamboo is an advocacy for us. We’re fighting for bamboo because you already have the clumps available. With the proper management and rehabilitation, you have a livelihood. It’s a doable program. It’s productive in 3-4 years from planting. ” he said.
“If we can’t develop our bamboo industry, tell me what else are we capable of doing?” he said.
High value-added engineered bamboo. Credit-Bamboo Network PH
EO 879 saw a $8 billion global market for bamboo. It will have tremendous economic multiplier effect was it is seen to replace plastic, metal and other wood as manufacturing input.
Madarang said PBIDC looks forward in the future to have budget allocation. “We need it for the upkeep of the CITE facility. We need to support how roadmaps of agencies (like the one drafted by DA mainly for bamboo production and food) will cascade into regional offices,” said Madarang.
PBIDC in the last two years has been coordinating agencies’ programs for harmonization and non duplication. It includes the following:
Localization of bamboo programs with now 48 active local councils.
Bamboo Resources Inventory and Technology-Enabled Mapping in the Philippines (Britemap) to develop bamboo resources inventory system.
Consultative meetings with Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 4A, 5, 6, and 7-12.
Series of bamboo summits from Luzon to Mindanao that tapped the Mindanao bamboo advocates.
Series of bamboo smmits n mining in a tieup with the Philippine Mining Club, DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
Declaration of Bamboo Month under House Resolution No. 197 and celebration of World Bamboo Day in order to promote the significance of bamboo planting and production.
PBIDC participation in Smart Bamboo Database Management System of the Philippine Bamboo Society of Advocates, Bamboo Bootcamp, DENR-Forest Management Bureau training,
Pasig River Rehabilitation involving bamboo planting in its tributaries.
Support for DTI’s shared services facilities establishment.
Memorandum of agreement with TESDA on training protocols
Rehabilitation of existing bamboo clusters in the first district of Ilocus Sur under the TUPAD program. (Melody Mendoza Aguiba)
Growth Features 