The House of Representatives has adopted House Resolution (HR) 1908, proclaiming the month of September of every year as Philippine Bamboo Month, which shall be celebrated by encouraging all government agencies, including local government units (LGUs) to plant bamboo plants in suitable locations nationwide.
The resolution, principally authored by Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano (1st District, Ilocos Sur), provides that the Office of the President shall be furnished a copy of HR 1908.
“There is a need to promote among Filipinos the value and importance of bamboo in their daily lives. The uses of bamboo in the country span from crib to grave, and millions of Filipinos cannot go about their daily chores without using one or two utensils that are made of bamboo,” the resolution states.
It states that the world celebrates World Bamboo Day annually on September 18 to increase awareness of the value of bamboo globally.
The resolution further states that the World Bamboo Organization aims to elevate the potential of bamboo with the following objectives: 1) to protect the natural resources and environment; 2) to ensure sustainable utilization; 3) to promote new cultivation of bamboo for new industries in regions around the world; 4) and promote traditional uses locally for community economic development.
Moreover, Executive Order No. 879 dated May 14, 2010 issued by then former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, created the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council to provide the overall policy and directions of the program, the resolution states.
The resolution also acknowledges the many good features and uses of the bamboo. For one, it is a reliable construction material used especially in the rural areas and by millions of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk who depend on the ubiquitous plant for their livelihood.
According to the resolution, The famous Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas, and many other musical instruments used by popular Filipino bands are made of bamboo.
The measure also underscores that “Bamboo shoots provide nutritious food not only in the rural areas but also in expensive and leading restaurants in the country. World-famous furniture and handicraft from the Philippines are made of bamboo.”
It further stresses that in terms of protecting the environment, bamboo help control soil erosion and restore land by sequestering carbon and absorbing heavy metals in mined-out areas
“Bamboo shoots provide nutritious food not only in the rural areas but also in expensive and leading restaurants in the country. World-famous furniture and handicraft from the Philippines are made of bamboo.”
The resolution also recognizes the bamboo’s high economic potential as a raw material for 1) pulp and paper; 2) textile; 3) engineered bamboo products; 4) beverages; and 5) fuel.
“The bamboo products contribute to the dollar revenues of the country, and bamboo processing itself can provide employment to a sizable portion of the country’s labor force,” the resolution states.
“The bamboo products contribute to the dollar revenues of the country, and bamboo processing itself can provide employment to a sizable portion of the country’s labor force.”
Lastly, the resolution recognizes bamboo’s toughness against environmental disasters as a representation of the resilient Filipino spirit.
