Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu has vowed to increase bamboo seedling planting under the National Greening Program (NGP) from 20 percent to 40 to 45 percent due to its high survival rate and usability as compared to other tree or plant seedlings.
In an interview during his visit at CS First Green’s engineered bamboo factory in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Cimatu said bamboo can be a substitute for other tree or plant seedlings that have low survival rate due to incompatible land fertility, especially in central Luzon.
“I have seen the survival rate of bamboo is at 95 percent as compared to others. While we are aspiring for 85 percent in NGP, which is obtained by Mindanao, Surigao and Agusan, but not in central Luzon that has low survival rate of seedlings, whereas if we plant bamboo, it has a higher survival rate,” the environment chief said.
Cimatu noted that with his visit to the factory, he has seen the potential of bamboo as a substitute for wood or lumber.
“Bamboo could be a substitute for lumber.”
“In our situation, we lack wood here in the country, that’s why we still cut trees in the mountainous areas instead of saving these trees to improve the barren lands. Now, we saw here that bamboo could be a substitute for lumber. It is sturdier and it is also termite-free as it is already treated,” he disclosed.
Cimatu said he will initiate the use of bamboo due to its high potential, and make the factory a model in the entire region for an engineered bamboo factory.
Meanwhile, Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao said the factory is just a pilot plant, and not yet the full industrialization.
“Our motto here is idle lands for idle hands.”
“This is here to show that there is such a thing as engineered bamboo. This is a good project especially for idle lands and those who don’t have work as our motto here is idle lands for idle hands. This will have a high impact to our poverty alleviation program at the same time with the government’s NGP,” Quiambao said.
The factory is still on its trial production but the mayor is positive that the engineered bamboo products have markets, such as in China.
“Initially, we are producing bamboo planks, flooring, tiles, walls, and wood panels. This is a P40 billion industry in China,” he said.
At present, there are 300 hectares of land planted with bamboo in the town, and they are targeting 500 hectares.
“With the Integrated Forest Management Agreement with DENR, the plantation will increase to 10,200 hectares, which will include seven towns in western Pangasinan,” Quiambao said.