Category: PBIDC

March 11, 2024

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

The Philippines will generate revenue of as much as P400 billion ($8 billion)
from an emerging industry in locally-produced engineered bamboo which is bringing tremendous import substitution value to the economy.

Given all-out government support for this new product, industry leaders see a realization of dreams for economic development in the countryside along with huge revenue generation from engineered bamboo.

“Our wood-based construction material is imported almost 94%.. The focus is bamboo as a reengineered lumber for the construction industry and as biomass and ethanol production. Enginered bamboo can import substitute in our national construction industry,” said Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., chairman of egineered bamboo producer Rizome Philippines.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said the local manufacturing of engineered bamboo is seen to account for a significant chunk of potential revenue from bamboo.

From import substitution alone, economic benefit from enginereed bamboo is placed at P400 billion ($8 billion) yearly.

To be able to realize the full potential of bamboo to be an alternative to steel or glass in construction, authorities said it is imperative that government comes up with policies that include bamboo in the National Buildiing Code or National Structural Code.

Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba of Bukidnon has filed House Bill 9144 or an “Act Integrating Bamboo as a Sustainable Material for the Built Environment.”

Savellano, also vice chairman of Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), said the legislation on the Bamboo Structural Code as proposed in HB 9144 is critical to implementing Executive Order 879.

“We look forward to finally implementing EO 879 which envisioned industrialization through bamboo-based manufacturing,” Savellano said.

Government should consider ratifying a law on the Bamboo Structural Code as urgent in order to seize the big global market for engineered bamboo.

“(To use bamboo) for import substitution and earn billions of dollars, we need to move fast (in coming up with policies) that include bamboo in every instrument– into the structural building code,” Lorenzo said.

EO 879, issued in 2010, has not been implemented at all. Neither has PBIDC received any budget allocation.

A product developed by Filipino scientists and incorporated with state-of-the art technologies overseas, engineered bamboo is now recognized not only as a sustainable construction material. It has been proven to have tensile strength equal to or better than steel.

With the incentives that will be given under the proposed Kawayan Act (Senate Bill 2513) which has been filed in the Senate by Senator Mark A. Villar, private sector investment is seen to pour into the bamboo industry.

The local manufacturing of engineered bamboo will bring about livelihood to Indigenous People (IP) who hold vast tracts of ancestral domain land that are now being tapped for bamboo production.
“The bamboo industry is anti-poverty and anti-insurgency in Mindanao’s poor rural communities. We have proven it today in North Cotabato and Bukidnon,” said Lorenzo.

Rizome just entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for a bamboo project with the IP Manobos covering 2,500 hectares of ancestral domain land in North Cotabato.

Bamboo is a sustainable material as it grows abundantly anywhere in the Philippines. It is harvestable for timber and other uses for 100 years. It releases 38% more oxygen than trees and sequesters 12 to 17 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare. It is a tool for combatting erosion and flooding.

HB 9144 will direct relevant agencies to develop a Bamboo Stuctural Code (BSC) which will provide the guidelines, standards, and best practices for the safe and sustainable use of bamboo in building design and construction.

Bamboo is traditionally used for housing in the rural areas, but only for one or two story houses. But to be used as alternative to steel, especially in high-rise structures, guidelines should be put up in the National Building Code or Structural Code.

Bamboo industry leaders hold giant bamboo and engineered bamboo sample. (L-R) Butch Alcantara, Kilusang 5K Foundation director, PBIDC Executive Director Rene Madarang, Rizome Philippines Chairman Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., Agriculture Undersecretary and PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano. Credit- Rene Madarang

Rene Madarang, executive director of PBIDC, said the Philippines should now catch up in bamboo commercialization.

“Total export trade value of bamboo commodities (in 2020) reached $2.969 billion with Asia accounting for a significant 80.2% share. However, the Philippines contributed to just $473,852,” he said.

Madarang said the local industry has to hurdle the challenges including low product quality and high production cost, inaccessible financing, and non-supportive policies.

With the now pending bills in Congress institutionalizing PBIDC, Philippines is establishing an agency that harmonizes all bamboo functions scattered in different government agencies, he said.
Even now, PBIDC is supporting establishment of a bamboo electronic database, policy incentives for private sector investments, and rural-based bamboo enterprises.

Extensive research has shown that bamboo has the mechanical properties for use in construction.
“Bamboo’s internal cell-like structure allows it to withstand compression, making it an ideal material for scaffolding. Compared to steel, bamboo is much lighter, six times faster to erect and 12 times faster to dismantle,” South China Morning Post reported.

According to the Advances in Science and Technology Journal (ASTJ), bamboo can be used as reinforcement in concrete as a replacement to steel.

“Bamboo culms are often used directly without any alteration as structural members such as beams and columns. The shear and flexural behavior of bamboo reinforced concrete (BRC) beams is significantly better than plain concrete beams,” reported the ASTJ.

“Bamboo fibers reinforced concrete (BFRC) is a good alternative to existing synthetic fibers reinforced concrete such as glass and steel fibers.”

Interesting Engineering (IE) reported that “steel has a tensile strength of 23,000 pounds per square inch. But bamboo surpasses steel with a noticeable lead at 28,000 pounds.

“That is because when we consider the strength of a material, there are variables to keep in mind. The tensile strength can be defined as the resistance offered by an objecting to breaking or splitting under tension,” reported IE.

“Bamboo is stronger than steel in this case, as it has a tightly packed molecular structure than steel.” GF

FEATURED PHOTO Engineered bamboo is not only as hard as steel or tough as concrete. It is as beautiful as hardwood in this Rizome interior model.

February 28. 2024

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

A bill that will strengthen commercialization of engineered bamboo as a sustainable construction material potentially in high-rise buildings has been filed in Congress.

House Bill 9144 or an “Act Integrating Bamboo as a Sustainable Material for the Built Environment” has been filed by Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba of Bukidnon.

HB 9144 will direct relevant agencies to develop a Bamboo Stuctural Code (BSC) which will provide the guidelines, standards, and best praactices for the safe and sustainable use of bamboo in building design and construction.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano said the local manufacturing of engineered bamboo is seen to account for a significant chunk of potential revneue from bamboo for the Philippines. From import substitution alone, economic benefit from enginereed bamboo is placed at P400 billion ($8 billion) yearly.

Savellano, also vice chairman of Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), said the legislation on the Bamboo Structural Code is critical to implementing Executive Order 879 which created the PBIDC.

“We look forward to finally implementing EO 879 which envisioned industrialization through bamboo-based manufacturing,” Savellano said.

EO 879, issued in 2010, has not been implemented at all. Neither has PBIDC received any budget allocation.

But the bills now filed in Congress, particularly Senate Bill 2513 (Kawayan Act), will put teeth on existing policies. SB 2513, filed by Senator Mark A. Villar, is allocating a budget for PBIDC in order to spur private sector investment in the bamboo sector.

HB 9144 will promote bamboo as a sustainable building material, boosting Philippines’ compliance with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG). It will call for integration of bamboo-related education into higher education curricula and continuing professional education for archictets, interior designers, and engineers.

Bamboo will be introduced as a construction material that is comparable to steel in tensile strength and as beautiful as hardwood.

Bamboo is traditionally used for housing in the rural areas, but only for one or two story houses. But to be used as alternative to steel or hardwood, especially in high-rise structures, guidelines should be put up in the National Building Code or Structural Code.

Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., chairman of egineered bamboo producer Rizome Philippines, said government should consider it urgent to come up with policies on the Bamboo Structural Code in order to seize a huge market.

“Our wood-based construction material is imported almost 94%. (To use bamboo) for import substitution, and earn billions of dollars, we need to move fast (in coming up with policies) that include bamboo in every instrument– into the structural building code,” he said.

Extensive research has shown that bamboo has the mechanical properties for use in construction.
Savellano has been pushing for the commercial use of bamboo both as an agricultural support material and as an industrial product.

“Bamboo can be our single biggest source of revenue that can enable many of our countrymen to rise above poverty especially our Indigenous People who are also the guardians of our environment,” Savellano said.

As an Ilocos Sur representative, Savellano had authored House Bill 9576 or the Philippine Industry Development Act.

DA is now strengthening its bamboo propagation program, having recognized that bamboo is a high value crop that has both food and consumer-industrial uses.

For one, DA has funded the bamboo nursery of University of the Philippines-Visayas which has a planned plantation expansion over 10 hectares.

Rene Madarang, executive director of PBIDC, said the Philippines should now catch up in bamboo commercialization.

“Total export trade value of bamboo commodities (in 2020) reached $2.969 billion with Asia accounting for a significant 80.2% share. However, the Philippines contributed to just $473,852,” he said.

Madarang said the local industry has to hurdle the challenges including low product quality and high production cost, inaccessible financing, and non-supportive policies.

With the now pending bills in Congress institutionalizing PBIDC, Philippines is establishing an agency that harmonizes all bamboo functions scattered in different government agencies, he said.
Even now, PBIDC is supporting establishment of a bamboo electronic database, policy incentives for private sector investments, and rural-based bamboo enterprises.

Engineered bamboo for construction can indeed be one of the sunlight bamboo industries.

According to the Advances in Science and Technology Journal (ASTJ), bamboo can be used as reinforcement in concrete as a replacement to steel.

“Bamboo culms are often used directly without any alteration as structural members such as beams and columns. The shear and flexural behavior of bamboo reinforced concrete (BRC) beams is significantly better than plain concrete beams,” reported the ASTJ.

“Bamboo fibers reinforced concrete (BFRC) is a good alternative to existing synthetic fibers reinforced concrete such as glass and steel fibers.”

Bamboo has been reported to have a tensile strength comparable to steel.

Interesting Engineering (IE) reported that “steel has a tensile strength of 23,000 pounds per square inch.”

“But bamboo surpasses steel with a noticeable lead at 28,000 pounds That is because when we consider the strength of a material, there are variables to keep in mind. The tensile strength can be defined as the resistance offered by an objecting to breaking or splitting under tension,” reported IE.

“And yes, bamboo is stronger than steel in this case, as it has a tightly packed molecular structure than steel.”

PHOTO Bamboo’s internal cell-like structure allows it to withstand compression, making it an ideal material for scaffolding. Compared to steel, bamboo is much lighter, six times faster to erect and 12 times faster to dismantle. Credit- South China Morning Post

February 12, 2024

The Senate has strongly supported passage of the “Kawayan Act” as bamboo has the potential to contribute $3.5 billion to the economy and strengthen the country’s pollution control under its Sustainable Development Goal commitments.

Senate Bill or an “Act Institutionalizing the Bamboo Industry in the Philippines and Appropriating Funds Therefor” has been broadly supported in the Senate.

An official legislative statement indicated Senator Mark A. Villar’s speech has been “overwhelmingly supported by the Senate having been co-sponsored by multiple senators, including Senate President Migz Zubiri who is one of the co-authors and co-sponsors of the bill.

Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee for Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship. led sponsorship of the bill.

Villar cited multiple economic potentials and environmental values of the bamboo industry including its global trade value that is expected to reach $88.43 billion by 2030 among others.

The bamboo industry is also expected to contribute $3.5 billion to the Philippine economy. He also emphasized the efficient pollution control capacity of bamboo as it releases 38% more oxygen than trees and sequesters 12 to 17 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare.

“The Institutionalization of the Bamboo Industry Development in the Philippines or the Kawayan Act aims to pursue further efforts that will develop the bamboo industry. At present, government agencies such as DTI, DOST, DENR and DA implement their own research and development programs, in an attempt to address the insufficiency of information and data resources, among others,” Villar said during a sponsorship speech last week.

“Yet, these initiatives are fragmented and this is worsened by the perception of the private sector for a lack of a functional governmental body overseeing the development of the industry which thus hinders its optimization.”

The Kawayan Act seeks to institutionalize the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), which was created by Executive Order 879, to serve as the central body for overall policy and program direction for all bamboo stakeholders. The Council is also mandated to formulate and implement the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap.

The Kawayan Act will further provide a comprehensive approach to the development of the bamboo industry as its provisions mandates DENR, DTI, DOT, DepEd, and DOST and their attached agencies to use bamboo in government programs and to scale up the use, investment promotions, research and development of bamboo.

“The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap will be guided with actionable, time-bound, and realistic objectives that are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan, in which the former will include substantial and attractive incentives to encourage investments in the bamboo industry,” said Villar.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Deogracias Victor B. Savellano has expressed confidence that the legislative support to the institutionalization of the PBIDC will accelerate bamboo’s role in industrialization. It will lure private investors with the incentives granted by the law.

PBIDC Executive Director Rene Butch Madarang said the Kawayan Act will speed up and enhance efficiency of plantation, harvest, and bamboo transport permit approvals.

Savellano who is also PBIDC vice chairman said PBIDC, since the issuance of EO 879 in 2010, has been convening representatives of DENR, DA, DTI, DepEd, and other appointed public and private agencies as mandated, despite budget lack.

Villlar said “through the Kawayan Act, we can look forward to a Philippine economy that stands as mighty and grows as rapidly as bamboo does. Similarly, the development of our bamboo industry mirrors the persisting Filipino resilience amid various challenges. No matter what hinders us, no matter what sways and bends us, we will continue to push forward towards progress and development,” he said.

“It is high time we push for the development of the Philippine bamboo industry”
PHOTO Senator Mark A. Villar in a sponsorship speech on Kawayan Act. Credit- Senate

January 31, 2024

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

The Philippines will carry out in 2024 a P100.05 million bamboo work program which includes trade and marketing in global venues to promote Filipino innovations in bamboo architecture and other products.

The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBDIC) is sustainining inter-agency programs for Filipino bamboo products despite prevailing budgetary constraints.

As the council is composed of several government agencies led by the Department of Trade and Inudstry (DTI), PBIDC is consolidating budgets in order to implement the 2024 program, according to PBIDC Vice Chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, also Department of Agriculture (DA) undersecretary.

“Bamboo is an industry where we have huge potential to earn from export. This is why PBIDC is putting up with our present budgetary lack to promote our products that are really world class,” said Savellano.

Foremost among the trade exhibitions is the First Philippine Bamboo Conference and Exhibition on Architecture, Interior Design and Construction. P8 million is being allocated of which P5 million may be sourced from the Department of Science and Technology.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona disclosed other venues for bamboo’s promotion are the Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFW) and Manila FAME, Asia’s trade show for home, furnishings, and lifestyle. PIFW and Manila FAME will have a P1 million each allocation.
The country’s biggest construction show, Philconstruct Expo, and the National Trade Fair will also have a bamboo exhibitions.

As bamboo is seen as a sunshine industry, P24 million is being allocated by PBIDC for Nationwide Nursery Establishment and Management in 2024.

To support identification of existing bamboo plantations, PBIDC is allocating P5 million budget for the Bamboo Inventory and Technology-Enabled Mapping (BRITEMAP).

Inventory mapping of bamboo plantations will be critical now that many private companies have started investing in bamboo product manufacturing, according to PBIDC Executive Director Rene Butch Madarang.

PBIDC is looking at expanding the BRITEMAP program to as many regions of the Philippines. This will facilitate supply for bamboo raw materials of investors that are now putting up manufacturing plants all over the country, said Madarang.

Engineered bamboo is now being manufactured by the Philippines and is seen to potentially substitute P400 billion worth of wood imports. PBIDC is supporting this vision with its program for Value Chain Analysis for Bamboo as an Architectural and Construction Material. For 2024, P5.5 million is allocated for this study.

Nursery establishment will be supported by a training program of farmers and entrepreneurs on Nursery, Management, Bamboo Propagationad Bamboo Shoot Production, P4 million.

While seeking for the passage of the Kawayan Act in Congress which will harmonize all activities of different government agencies on bamboo, PBIDC is already embarking on master planning. The Philippine Bamboo Roadmap updating is budgeted with P5.55 million.

Further exposure to international trends in bamboo is given importance with Philippines’ partiicpation in the Bamboo Industry Immersion Program in Taiwan and China. It will receive P3 million allocation.

The Kawayan Act, authored by Senator Mark A. Villar, also Senate Committee Chairman on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneuship, eyes an initial P100 million budget for the future law’s implementation.

However, this budget is apparently just for administration and organization of the envisioned bamboo center. On the other hand, Philippines’ neighbors are investing heavily in their bamboo industries. Thailand is reportedly infusing $10 billion for its “Bamboo Villages” development.

The Bamboo Global Report Market 2023 placed bamboo revenue at $66.22 billion in 2022 and $71.63 billion in 2023. This is seen to further grow to $92.62 billion in 2027.

PHOTO Qubo JOGarcia Design Credit-BluPrint

July 31, 2023

Melody Mendoza Aguiba

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has appointed former Representative Deogracias Victor Barbers Savellano as Department of Agriculture (DA) undersecretary, recognizing his contribution to economic development  and poverty reduction – being an advocate of bamboo industrialization.

   Also a former governor of Ilocos Sur, Savellano was deputy speaker of the House of Representatives during the 18^th Congress.   

   As a bamboo advocate all his life, he has authored House Bill 9576 or the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act.

   He has sustained his passion to push for bamboo as a tool for Philippines’ industrialization through his current work as vice chairperson at the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) just before the DA appointment.

   In his own home province in Ilocos Sur, Savellano has inspired communities to put up a Bamboo Park in each barangay.

   This fostered collaboration, skills coaching, and product development involving every age in the community—oldest to youngest—imparting how bamboo is traditionally used for different purposes passed on from a generation to another. This also egged up creation of emerging, innovative bamboo products.

   Savellano’s vision is to see Philippines begin eating up a significant share of the global bamboo market which is expected to grow to $92.62 billion by 2027 (United Nations Comtrade).  This is from $66.22 billion in 2022 and $71.63 billion in 2023.

   Philippine Bamboo Foundation Ed Manda praised PBBM’s appointment of Savellano as DA secretary.

   “Congressman DV’s appointment will further boost efforts of stakeholders to fast track development of the emerging bamboo industry,” Manda said.

   The development of bamboo industry will address or aid in many serious concerns  in the Philippines.  These include emission of pollutant, greenhouse gases, environmental and land degradation, soil erosion, landslides, typhoon surge, and flooding.  Bamboo is a  cost-effective, lower-budget approach—being a grass abundantly growing nationwide and needs modest maintenance.

   Bamboo can catapult to industrial status many simple industries including building and house construction, renewable energy, biomass, cooking fuelwood, furniture, fiber and textile, and lumber from a highly-durable yet beautiful material to substitute for hardwood.  It will generate millions of jobs in rural areas and ancestral lands tended by Indigenous People and bring in needed dollar reserve.

   Savellano co-founded and was president of the National Movement of Young Legislators with which he is continuing to partner for bamboo propagation all over the country.

   As a businessman, he was chairman of the Ilocos Sur Hotels, Restaurants and Related Enterprise and of the Ilocos Sur Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has been running his own fine dining restaurants in Ilocos Sur and Quezon City that have popularized to the city the unique heritage of Ilocano cooking.

   He founded Kilusang 5K (Kawayan:  Kalikasan, Kaunlaran, Kabuhayan, Kinabukasan) Foundation Inc.  Kilusang 5K, together with Rotary International, has put up a 30-hectare pilot bamboo farm (propagation, nursery)  in Karugo and Puray, Montalban, Rizal to demonstrate the economic and environmental value of growing bamboo.  Kilusang 5K will also participate in a long term 20,000 hectare bamboo propagation in the Marikina Watershed as part of fighting perennial flooding and landslides in the area.

   Savellano received in 2009 a Hall of Fame Award for the Best LGU Poverty Reduction program  program. He is also a recipient of a CROWN Award in Nutrition for being a consistent regional outstanding winner in Nutrition National Nutrition Council. 

   He is an immediate past president of the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Society, UP Manila Alumni Association, currently board of director, UP Alumni Association, and president, Rotary Club of Quezon City Circle

 Savellano finished AB Economics at the University of the Philippines Manila and Master in International Business Administration at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California USA.

PHOTO ATTACHED Deogracias Victor Barbers Savellano

July 11, 2023

Melody Mendoza Aguiba

“Bamboo Bill” Senate Bill 605 has been set on July 19 for Senate public hearing amid the Marcos Administration’s aim to speed up economic development, create livelihood, and cushion vulnerable poor population from climate disasters.  

   Authored by Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, SB 605 or an “Act Institutionalizing the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program,” will create among the biggest agriculture industries with up to 55,000 hectares of existing bamboo stands across the islands, Zubiri said.

   Six other bamboo development-related bills will be deliberated in the Senate on July 19.  All these bamboo bills, generally strengthening functions of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), are seen to be consolidated with SB 605.  

   The bills are SB 615 (Senator Cynthia Villar), SB 1044 (Sen. Joel Villanueva), SB 1145; and SB 1552 (Senator Lito Lapid), SB 1118 (Senator Loren Legarda), SB 1145 (Win Gatchalian),  and SB 2172 (Senator Jinggoy Estrada).

   Not only is bamboo a unique Filipino cultural symbol with the “bahay kubo” and the innovative industrial design works of Bobby Manosa and Kenneth Cobonpue.

   Philippines  also has the world’s fifth biggest bamboo industry.  Yet it has to keep up with far distant huge bamboo industries of China and Vietnam, said Zubiri.  Global market is estimated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at $17 billion.

   SB 605 fortifies PBIDC’s policy-making role in creating community-based enterprises that will have sufficient supply of quality materials and produce new products from research and development-inspired technologies. 

   Manufacturers are mandated to use bamboo on at least 25% of their raw materials inputs for furniture, lumber (wood processed into uniform sizes such as beams and planks),  and manufactured products that can use bamboo as an alternative to wood.

   Plantations will be accepted as loan collateral in government-owned-and-controlled financial institutions.  Plantation developers and bamboo processors will have priority access to credit and guarantee.  Bamboo plantations will be exempted from security cutting, harvesting, and transporting permits.

   Markets will be created through aggressive trade promotion.  Supply of trained and skilled labor will be stabilized.  There will be a comprehensive program on bamboo nursery expansion;

bamboo propagation, breeding, site-specific bamboo species development; and sustainable planting, harvesting, soil and water conservation protocols.

   Bamboo advocate former House Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, currently vice chairman of PBIDC, said he hopes the Bamboo Bill will be ratified on or before the year ends. 

   “It is imperative that the industry that is so natural to us Filipinos can be developed sooner.  It has been waiting for a long time now to help our poorest population.  And you don’t need big budget for infrastructure to address our climate-related ills — soil erosion and environmental degradation that are causes of natural disasters,” Savellano said.

   “Bamboo will substantially support our farmers and fisherfolks.  It supplies their need for simple devices like banana tree’s support pole or the katig (outrigger) in boats,” he said.

   PBIDC Executive Director Rene Madarang said the industry hopes government will cite SB 605 a priority bill in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation (SONA) address as the bamboo industry will cement in the next five years the Administration’ contribution to economic growth.

   Edgardo Manda, Philippine Bamboo Foundation president, said the strengthened PBIDC will provide a coherent direction in developing commercial, large scale bamboo plantation to support the manufacturing of bamboo products.

   Without the passage of such bamboo law, PBIDC which is under the Office of the President lacks not only the budget but the powers to harmonize all government bamboo programs that has left the industry undeveloped.

   At least 20% of planting materials needed for the National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will come from bamboo.

   The industry will be supported by accurate and reliable data for decision-making aid of investors and entrepreneurs.

   Among incentives to be granted to stakeholders of bamboo-based products are those under the Board of Investments and National Internal Revenue Code.

   The Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center will be established under the bill.  Local Bamboo Industry Development Councils (BIDC) will be put up in towns and provinces to localize planning and support for budget and policies for industry development.

    The amount needed to implement the Bamboo Bill (Law) will initially come from unexpended contingency fund of the Office of the President and existing bamboo industry budget of the Department of Trade and Industry and DENR.    “Thereafter, such amount … shall be included in the annual General Appropiations Act.” 

PHOTO Florida-based Rizome Philippines produces world-class engineered bamboo that make for sophisticated and beautiful building material.

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

June 26, 2022

The urgent passage of a law to develop the bamboo industry is seen to prop up capital influx into  farms and industrial plants in line with incentives including exemption from rental fee of government lands for commercial bamboo plantation.
   The exemption for five years from rental fee of government of lands and tax free importation of equipment are the principal incentives proposed under House Bill 7941.

   The bill, approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives last May 30 was immediately transmitted to the Senate for approval.
   Bamboo advocate Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, former House deputy speaker, said the immediate approval of the Senate of House Bill 7941 augurs well for the bamboo industry that has been waiting to be developed for years now.  
   Executive Order 879 which created the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) was signed in 2010.  

   “The Marcos Administration can be known for a bamboo-led industrial development given immediate ratification of this bamboo law.  We just have five years now, but surely we can manage the resource that we already have in abundance,” said Savellano, PBIDC current vice chairman.

   “We can even use bamboo to comply with our climate change mitigation commitments.”
   In the Senate, at least five bamboo development-related bills have been filed in the last Congress.  These are Senate Bill (SB) 605 with Senator Miguel Zubiri as principal author, SB 615 (Senator Cynthia Villar), SB 1044 (Sen. Joel Villanueva), SB 1145; and SB 1552 (Senator Lito Lapid).

   House Bill 7941 strengthens the power of PBIDC  to develop the industry through policies that encourage planting and development of bamboo product designs.
   Under the approved House version, private plantations registered with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are exempted from securing a cutting permit for the harvesting of bamboo.   These are exempted too from securing a transport permit for the bamboo materials.
   Bamboo plantations are also exempted from the payment of forest charges and other fees for taxes that LGUs may impose.   
  PBIDC convenes producers of raw materials, processors, marketing and promotion companies, and national and local government and agencies to discuss strategies to revitalize the bamboo industry.

   By itself, PBIDC’s programs will be guided by Cabinet-level agencies including heads of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Education, among others.
   DENR earlier placed the global market for non-timber forest products at $17 billion as of 2020.    

   Isidro C. Alcantara Jr. of Philippine Nickel Industry Association said annual revenue can hit $3 billion if only the Philippines can plant at least 10% of China’s bamboo area.

   Some of the uses of bamboo include house construction, infrastructure, paper, furniture and handicrafts, charcoal and pyroligneous liquor, textile, and clothes. Other uses are for production of food products from bamboo shoots, bamboo beer and medicinal products.  Bamboo pellets can be used for power generation.
   The Philippine Bamboo Industry Program that will be implemented by PBIDC will ensure the sustainable production of quality raw materials; develop relevant technologies and new products; and produce accurate/reliable data.  It will also promote investments; put up capacity building programs that will generate skilled labor; and ensure provision of locally manufactured machines.
   Savellano said that the foreseen huge economic livelihood generated from bamboo industry will pluck out of abject poverty many Filipinos and Indigenous People in rural areas who own vast ancestral lands.  The industry will further be a significant instrument for fighting climate disasters.
   Provincial governments should come up with their own Bamboo Industry Development Program within two years from  the enactment of the bamboo law.
   The legislation also provides for the access of plantations to development loans from government financial institutions.  Crop insurance will be provided too.

   Importation of equipment for plantation development, including tree nursery, will be tax free under Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).  Plantations will be accepted  as collateral for loans in government-owned-or-controlled banks.
   No volume restriction in the export of bamboo culms from plantations will be allowed.
   Industrial bamboo plantations in forest lands and priority areas will be included in the annual investment program of the National Economic and Development Authority and will have  priority access to funds  from external and internal sources.
    The Bamboo Industry Development Program will include plans of actions for the scientific propagation, development and management, processing, utilization, business development, and commercialization.

   The bill also provides for the creation of  the Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC) which will partner with the public and private sectors, people’s organizations and non-government organizations, and the academe for  sustained development. 
Photo: Philippines’ Giant Asper species used as engineered bamboo by Rizome for sophisticated construction. Credit: Rizome
   

May 30, 2023

By Melody Mendoza Aguiba

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.

   “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).

May 18, 2023

May 2, 2023

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 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.