The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) is urging the government to replicate nationwide the successful bamboo reforestation projects at the Marikina Watershed, which provided livelihood to indigenous communities and help prevent Metro Manila flooding.
The 20-hectare Karugo and 10-hectare Puray bamboo projects in Montalban, Rizal are “ideal multi-agency collaboration that involves minimal budget” according to PBIDC vice chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
“Our best examples for bamboo propagation are those in Puray and Karugo. It’s something that’s not difficult to do. It is a joint effort among government, Rotary International, Indigenous People, and the community. It’s a beautiful model that should be replicated all over the Philippines,” Savellano said in a statement.
Rotary raised a minimal P1.5 million in district grants for the Karugo project.
Meanwhile, the Kilusang 5K or Kawayan: Kalikasan, Kaunlaran, Kabuhayan, Kinabukasan Foundation, founded by Savellano, has supported the organization of Puray and Karugo projects.
The bamboo propagules, planted in 2022 in Karugo, are estimated to multiply to 142,000 bamboo culms in five years and 228,000 culms in eight years.
Now that Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual has reconvened PBIDC, Savellano said the council is now coordinating all bamboo projects and agencies. Thus, such replication can be implemented in every town in the country as what has been done by Savellano’s former constituents in Ilocos Sur.
PBIDC has adopted the Montalban projects for its own collaborative, cost-effective model.
“We tapped the two community-based projects to establish nurseries and do plantation development,” said PBIDC Executive Director Butch Madarang. “Using the convergence formula through consultation with different agencies, we’re able to engage everybody. We have an inclusive perspective. Our formula is to tap different agencies’ resources.”
The lead collaborator is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which identified the project site. Kilusang 5K tapped the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Bamboo Professionals Inc. to train on bamboo propagation the IPs belonging to the Samahan ng Kawayan sa Karugo Agri-Farmers Association and Tribal Council Assn. of Puray Inc.
Instead of planting hardwood, which takes 10 to 20 years to harvest, bamboo was chosen, as it is harvestable in three years, generating income for the community.
Bamboo plants are climate disaster fighters too. Bamboo, at four years old, has been proven to absorb 500 kilos of carbon dioxide yearly. It generates 300 kilos more oxygen per year compared to other trees. Bamboo plants hold more water than other trees, helping prevent erosion and flooding. It has a high survival rate due to endemicity and maintenance care.