Ladies and gentlemen, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.
Thank you to the Philippine Bamboo – Society of Advocates, Inc. (PBSAI) for giving us the opportunity to address your Bamboo Conference as we celebrate Earth Day 2021.
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were given the opportunity on how we could recalibrate how we use our country’s limited resources so that we could be more sustainable. As such, there is also a no better time to continue to advocate and promote bamboo and its contributions. Bamboo will not only mitigate the impact of climate change on our country and our people, but it will also help us look for more sustainable and eco-friendly materials to keep us safe from the virus during this pandemic.
Halimbawa po, mayroon na tayong Kawayan Tinik faceshield frames na ginagawa sa Luzon at Mindanao sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiya na binuo ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Ang pagpapaunlad po na ito ay naaayon sa naunang pangako ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte na ang proteksyon ng kalikasan ay dapat maging pangunahing prayoridad, kung saan ang extracted resources ng ating bansa ay mapapakinabangan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino. Napakarami pang ibang halimbawa ng mga iba-ibang produkto na gawa sa bamboo. Tulad ng mga lamesa, silya, at wood panels na nakikita natin sa paligid natin.
That’s why the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) remains committed to the development of a strong Philippine bamboo industry and its value chain, especially as this can also help in our country’s economic recovery from the pandemic. As chair of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (or PBIDC), DTI continues to promote bamboo industry development programs and assisting Local Government Units (LGUs) in establishing bamboo plantations.
By planting more bamboo trees, we can create a source of livelihood for our people, especially in communities in the countryside. This, in turn, will increase the supply of bamboo to support the requirements of our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly the producers of bamboo-based finished goods. DTI is also helping these MSMEs by providing them with product development support—particularly in the application of bamboo wood, like reengineered bamboo—and broadening their market access.
What’s more, in a whole-of-government approach, the agencies that are part of the PBIDC are working hand-in-hand towards the sustainable development of the industry with a holistic view of the value chain. Thus, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (or DENR) has included bamboo in their National Greening Program to ensure the continuous planting of bamboo in bamboo-friendly areas. Likewise, the Department of Agriculture (or DA) has made bamboo part of their high-value crop group to give it better support in their programs.
That’s why last year, government agencies were able to implement a total of P441M-worth of projects related to meeting the objectives of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Roadmap 2020-2022. What’s more, we were able to plant 16,867 hectares of bamboo nationwide, a little more than the target of 16,687. We also recently held a review of the Roadmap with industry stakeholders to assess the status of the goals and objectives, as well as possibly realign the next steps and strategies as may be needed.
Ngayong taon po, mas paiigtingin natin ang advocacy efforts para mapalawak ang kaalaman sa kontribusyon ng kawayan sa environmental protection, business development, at climate change mitigation. Ang learning mechanisms po ay magpapatuloy sa pamamagitan ng webinars tungkol sa mga pagbabago at mga oportunidad sa industriya, pati na rin sa consultative meetings kasama ang key players at partner organizations.
However, our databases of information need to be strengthened to provide a better picture of the current portfolio of our industry players and what interventions are needed. The agencies working with the PBIDC will converge to mobilize their regional and provincial offices to make this possible. Further, with DENR and DA, we shall be aggressive in promoting the establishment of nurseries, propagation of bamboo treatment and preservation, and training on specific skills.
For marketing strategies, bamboo will continue to be among our top showcases even in physical and virtual modes of expositions and missions. This will be coupled with the proper training on product development and innovation with DOST for the players to meet the higher requirements and international standards.
Ngunit higit pa rito, ang kaunlaran po ng bamboo industry ay nangangailangan ng isang whole-of-society approach na magdudulot ng mas mataas na environmental awareness at protection. Halimbawa po, ang ating mining industry ay ginawa na pong priority project ang pagtatanim ng bamboo pagkatapos ng mining operations para matulungan ang regeneration ng kalidad ng lupa. Kaya po umaasa kami na ang PBSAI ay makikipagtulungan sa atin sa pagtataguyod ng pag-unlad ng Philippine bamboo industry. Hindi lamang nito mabibigyan ng trabaho at hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan, maisisguro rin po nito na ang isang sustainable at inclusive resource ay magagamit at mapapakinabangan ng mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino.
As the Dalai Lama once said, “It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.” Congratulations to PBSAI and the Asian Institute of Management on the conduct of this Bamboo Conference and all your efforts.
Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang Philippine Bamboo Industry! ♦
Date of Release: 23 April 2021