CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) forged an agreement with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) for massive planting of bamboo in Pampanga and neighboring provinces.
Maximo Dichoso, DENR regional executive director disclosed that PCAARRD agreed to provide an initial investment of P3.5 million with the DENR providing another P1.5 million.
This is aimed at maximizing the economic and ecological potential of bamboo as an alternative source of livelihood for the people.
“This project recognizes the enormous potential of bamboo not only for construction and furniture, but also for environmental rehabilitation, carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation,” Dichoso said.
The project will cover at least 40 hectares of bamboo plantation in Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Zambales.
With this several hundreds of upland farmers are expected to be employed under the cash-for-work porgram by the national government.
“Given the right socio-economic and political environment, Central Luzon can very well supply this international demand for commercial bamboo,” he noted.
The Philippines is the world’s sixth biggest exporter of bamboo products in the world, with a total export value reaching $30 million in 2009.
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