During the 68th regular session of the 8th City Council of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan held last 22 December 2020 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, the City Council presided by Hon. Vice Mayor Bienvenido C. De Guzman II, enacted City Ordinance No. 95-08-2020, entitled “An Ordinance Institutionalizing the Implementation of Bamboo Development Project of Tuguegarao City and Providing Funds Thereof”.
The said ordinance was consequently approved by City Mayor Hon. Jefferson P. Soriano. The ordinance aims to concretize efforts to establish bamboo nurseries and bamboo plantations along riparian and watershed areas of Tuguegarao City.
Likewise, the project is in support of climate change mitigation, increasing livelihood opportunities, and the development of the bamboo industry in the City. This bamboo development project ordinance was the first to be passed by a Local Legislative Body in Region 2.
This is in consonance with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -Region 2’s Cagayan Valley Development Program which outlines the importance of LGU support in the implementation of its vision to plant bamboo along the Cagayan River and its tributaries.
DTI-Region 2, through its Cagayan Provincial Office, started campaigning for LGU buy-in of the ordinance in the 3rd quarter of last year.
Meanwhile, other municipalities in the Province of Cagayan that are in the process of enacting similar ordinance are Baggao and Buguey (for 3rd and final reading); Alcala; Allacapan; Camalaniugan; Claveria; Lasam; Sanchez Mira; and Piat.
For this year, the same ordinance shall also be presented to the remaining municipalities of the province for their consideration. Under the ordinance, the DTI-Region 2 thru DTI Cagayan shall: (a) Act as the lead convenor and secretariat of this collaboration initiative; (b) Promote the development of the bamboo industry cluster in the region; (c) Assist the Local Government Units in the promotion of bamboo as an investment area in their localities; (d) Provide assistance in linking the project to viable markets, and (e) Render other technical assistance and support. ♦
Date of release: 22 January 2021