19K HECTARES OF LAND EYED FOR BAMBOO PLANTATION

MANILA -- The Philippine Bamboo Industry Council (PBIC) is looking into converting at least 19,000 hectares of land nationwide into bamboo plantation this year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DIT) said on Wednesday.

Largest land conversion will be in Region 6 (Western Visayas) with 13,000 hectares of land eyed for bamboo plantation.

In a statement, DTI Secretary and PBIC chairman Ramon Lopez met the Council last Jan.9, committing assistance to the local bamboo industry.

Lopez said he plans to have “plant-to-market” roads to ease the delivery of bamboo from the plantation to buyers. This kind of infrastructure will be a big help particularly in remote areas.

He said this would be possible through DTI’s Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) Program with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The DTI can also assist those who wish to venture into bamboo processing through the Shared Service Facilities Program, he added.

The government likewise provides tax incentives to agri-business ventures, including bamboo production and processing under Board of Investments’ Investment Priorities Plan.

“Bamboo planting can provide a sustainable source of livelihood to people in the countryside. Since the plant grows quickly and is weather-resilient, it is an ideal business for farmers who are looking for alternative sources of income,” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, PBIC will launch in March its official campaign “5K: Kawayan, Kalinisan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran Kinabukasan” to promote the bamboo industry. (PNA)