The three day Provincial Bamboo Forum and Industry Planning Workshop was held in South Cotabato from February 16-18, 2011. The workshop brought together various stakeholders including local government, national government agencies, and NGOs to discuss promoting the bamboo industry. Key topics included the potential economic and environmental benefits of bamboo, developing technical skills for bamboo products, and the role of various organizations in supporting the bamboo industry. Participants engaged in discussions on issues such as developing markets for bamboo products, establishing efficient nurseries, and training programs for bamboo-related jobs. The goal was to forge partnerships and develop a collaborative approach to the bamboo industry.

1. BAMBOO INDUSTRY FORUM AND PROVINCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP
February 16-18, 2011
Fred Ann’s Food Haus, City of Koronadal
NARRATIVE REPORT
Introduction
As the Philippine government is committed to promote and establish bamboo
industry in the country, Executive Order No. 879, series of 2010 was crafted and
promulgated, creating the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council
(PBIDC) to promote the bamboo industry development project and directing the use
of bamboo for at least twenty five (25%) percent of the desk and other furniture
requirements of public elementary and secondary schools and prioritizing the use of
bamboo in furniture, fixtures and allocating funds therefor and for other purposes.
The Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies,
(NGAs), and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) envisioned a collaborative
effort in pursuing a convergence approach in the bamboo industry development
which will significantly contribute to the mitigation of climate change and protection
of environment. It is therefore understood that this synergy or forging of common
understanding of all sectors/stakeholders will bring about a cohesive partnership in
achieving government goals and objectives.
Along this premise, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, by virtue of
Executive Order No. 05, series of 2011, created the South Cotabato Industry
Development Council and Institutionalization of the Kawayan Festival to provide the
over-all policy and program directions for all the bamboo industry stakeholders.
In this endeavor, to drumbeat the advocacy on bamboo industry
development, the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotions Program (RuMEPP), a special
program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and International Fund for
Agricultural Development, in partnership with the Provincial Government of South
Cotabato, had conducted the three-day Provincial Bamboo Forum and Industry
Planning Workshop. This initiative is funded under the RuMEPP of DTI.
Proceedings
Day 1 – February 16
The activity commenced with preliminaries. Hon. Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy, Jr.,
governor of South Cotabato welcomed the participants and guests in the Provincial
Bamboo Forum and Planning Workshop. He said that he is proud of PEMO for
giving support to this activity particularly in the reforestation program using bamboo.

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He stated that the provincial government will try to include in the supplemental
budget the provision of bamboo seedlings / planting materials. He stressed that the
provincial government will give its share in the development of bamboo industry.
PD Flora P. Gabunales, Provincial Director of DTI South Cotabato introduced the
Keynote Speaker.
Mr. Franklin Bunoan, Executive Director of DTI-Cottage Industry Technology Center
(CITC), the Keynote Speaker presented the E-Bambu Philippines (Appendix A). He
said that bamboo helps mitigate climate change and it helps protect the
environment. He further said that bamboo is a great help in the economy, disaster
risk management and it helps generate job opportunities 160 times than lumber
does.
Mr. Ernesto C. Casiple, Jr., RPO of DTI-RuMEPP presented the Personal
Commitments: Networking & Climate Action Session.
Input 1: The Provincial Bamboo Situationer and the Recommended Actions was
presented by Mr. Ramon B. Ponce De Leon, Provincial Environment Management
Officer (Appendix B).
Input 2: The topics on Revisiting Community-Based Forest Management
Agreement: The Role of PENRO in Promoting Bamboo Industry and Climate
Change Adaptation was tackled by Forester Efren Hibaler of PENRO South
Cotabato (Appendix C).
Input 3: The Business of Environmental Protection was discussed by Mr. Rictoniel
Reginio, CTIDS of DTI South Cotabato (Appendix D).
Day 1 - OPEN FORUM (Part 1)
Panel Members:
1. Mr. Franklin Bunoan
2. Mr. Ramon Ponce De Leon
3. Mr. Rictoniel Reginio
After the presentation, the following issues and concerns were raised by the
participants:
NO. ISSUES AND CONCERNS / RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN
DISCUSSION
1 Mr. Fruto Sumagaysay of PIO - DTI Mr. Franklin Bunoan- I was
encourages the propagation of bamboo. emphasizing on engineered
We observed that there are lots of bamboo. It will transform bamboo
farmers who are using bamboo or its into six clumps in one to three years
“tambo” as food substitute. If you are old. Its implication is yong sobra sa
espousing the propagation of bamboo- anim kelangan iharvest yon,
five pillars, what is your plan regarding karamihan ng local govt units

3. 3
that matter? “Ipagbabawal ba ang nagpapasa ng ordinance. Bawal
pagpanambo ng mga farmers”? yon. They should teach the farmers
how to harvest “tambo”. If dalawa
ang bamboo, harvesin yong maliit.
That is one point na itinuturo sa
clump mngt . Ang annual harvest mo
nag-aaverage 1 thou to 2thou tons.
Not all kawayan as masarap yong
tambo.
2 Dir. Maisalam G. Macarimbang of Mr. Bunoan – distillate chemicals
TESDA – May I know if you have a from bamboo. In other countries,
study about bamboo medicinal/health where bamboo industry has been
benefits? developed, they have studies on
that. In the Phil., we have no study
yet on the bamboo medicinal
benefits. “Mataas yong capital
requirements sa industry nito for
textile. Tinitingnan natin kung saan
po tayo uunlad agad
3 Participant (Jo) – Requested PEMO to Mr. Ramon Ponce De Leon of
include the Samahan ng Magsasaka PEMO - RA 9184 (Government
Cooperative in the procurement of Procurement Reform Act). May I
bamboos in order to less the hauling fee suggest for the Samahan to write the
governor thru the Bids and Awards
Committee (BAC) in order that the
Samahan will be included in the
canvass/bidding. The problem there
is, does the Samahan have
complete papers? Last time, we
were able to buy bamboos in
Gensan from the individual bamboo
growers. We were not allowed by
BAC to do it again because it should
undergo bidding process, yet we can
arrange that. They allow now a MOA
between the suppliers and the buyer
especially Samahan is a cooperative
or people’s organization.
4 Dir. Macarimbang of TESDA- In the Mr. Bunoan- Not all occupations are
fields of Carpentry NC-2 and Carpentryin the formal sectors. The
NC-3, you (referring to Mr. Bunoan) emergence of the technologies
have presented the harvesting, splitting
always comes first before giving
of bamboos, are those skills highly definitions to occupations.
technical? There is no training regulations yet,
“Pag nacompose na yong kawayan,
“Kasi nangyari eh, hindi na-dedevelop doon i-create yong occupational title.
yong training regulations”. A this point in time, the bamboo

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industry devt council has not yet look
into the devt of training courses for
this occupation primarily because
“pabago-bago sia”.
5 Mrs. Alejandra Villacampa of LGU- PEMO - based on “bahay-kubo”,
Polomolok – Why is it that the Jane Manlisis invited Polomolok.
municipality of Polomolok was not Anyway, we recognized Polomolok
included in the list of bamboo crafters? as one of the crafters.
-Do we have a technology in bamboo Mr. Bunoan- What do you want in
charcoal making? “Paano nautilize ang technology, is it high-cost or low-cost
waste na hindi masasayang” technology?
Gusto mo ba na waste material mo
lang iboboil-kung ano yong
makukuha mong uling, ilalagay don,
charcoal decaying machine.
Napakarami ng schematics/working
drawings for low-cost charcoal
making, I hope that DOST can give
input on that.
6 Mr. Benigno Aquino from TESDA PEMO – That depends on the
South Cotabato – What is the reason efficiency of MENRO to request.
why the municipality of Tantangan is not We are not forgetting Tantangan,
a beneficiary of bamboo crafting? actually we have provided many
planting materials in Tantangan.
You can request for it.
7 Casiple – Do we have data on bamboo- PEMO – The data is not complete
how many are planted? because it was only two weeks when
the inventory has conducted.
8 Participant from DENR – We will be
conducting an inventory on bamboo.
We can assure the local govt units in
region 12 that we will be providing the
data.
Not yet identify the bamboo species.
Specie 1, specie 2
That is a very important information – Mr. Bunoan- problems encountered
that the time the local govt wl come in in pricing, there must be a method
on rationalizing it.
-you should know the accessibility
9 Mrs. Victoria Farrol, MENRO Mr. Bunoan – I have said during my
designate-Sto. Niño– I have attended all presentation that right now, we have
the trainings conducted by DTI. many potential investors na

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matatakot, ilang dept /sangay ng
“Ito bang kawayan natin ma-sustain govt na nagsasabi na magtanim ng
natin? Halimbawa, magtanim tayo kawayan.
ngayon, the DTI will give us the Sa Benguet, yong kanilang “afus”, if
technology, baka pagdating sa punto na they will be sending out invitation, ito
marami na kaming harvest, wala na yong tinatawag namin na
kaming buyer. Like what happened sa confidential building market, mas
kaong na tonetonelada, marami na competitive ang open market,
kaming ginawa.
Ang rate ng kawayan sa puno pa lang is Mr. Reginio- iba ang sitwasyon
P70. Mas matibay ang bayog-150. Baka nong nata de coco. indi maganda
wala naman kaming buyer. Malaki ang yong quality ng product natin, kaya
gastos sa kawayan. naapektuhan ang producers.
Kelangan naming ng technology nio Tungkol sa kawayan, there should
hanggang sa katapusan. be a collaborative effort among gov’t
agencies to initiate market
opportunities. If the market
opportunity could be accessed then,
it would be dynamic. We cannot hold
the investors. It is a risk taking
endeavor.
Mr. Casiple- yong mga potential
growers ng gimelina indi na nag-
cocommunicate. It is our role to connect
w/ investors.
Input 4: Mrs. Maisalam G. Macarimbang Provincial Director of TESDA South
Cotabato presented the topics on Upgrading Technical Skills Towards Improve
Bamboo Based Products. (Appendix E)
Input 6: DBP Programs for MSMEs and Bamboo Industry was presented by Ms. Ivie
Sabellano and Mr. Oscar E Sarmineto, Jr. of DBP Southern Mindanao, GSC.
(Appendix F)
Input 7: Ms. Jocelyn P. Celda from DepED Division of South Cotabato discussed
the Education Commitment to Environment Protection Focus on Bamboo.
(Appendix G)
Input 8: The Role of Agriculture in Bamboo Industry Development was tackled by
Mr. Reynaldo H. Legaste, Provincial Agriculturist of the province (Appendix H).
Day 1 – Open Forum (Part 2)
Panel Members:

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1. Mr. Reynaldo H. Legaste
2. Mrs. Maisalam G. Macarimbang
3. DBP Team
4. Mrs. Jocelyn Celda
NO. ISSUES AND CONCERNS RESPONSE / ACTION
TAKEN
1 Mrs. Jane Manlisis - DBP reforestation program, DBP - hanggang
30%, hanggang ilang taon tayo magkakaroon ng mabayaran ang terms of
ganong scheme? reference
2 Mr. Casiple- Climate financing facility Ms. Ivie of DBP - Head
office project yan sia. To
register the project itself,
as of now, documentation
is still on going, will inform
if ok na yong project.
3 Participant form DENR- massive production of Mr. Legaste of PAGRI –In
bamboo, concerned agencies to establish, we nursery production, we
need a very efficient nursery when we can have to identify what type
produce, maybe we can encourage LGU to of bamboo to produce and
establish nurseries where to plant. DBP
partnership- grant w/ DBP,
our target area is
purposely for reforestation.
Criteria ng DBP dapat
malapit sia sa kalsada.
Road map. Critical is the
hauling of cut lings. 50%
mortality ng seedlings.
4 Mrs. Andang- ano ang marketing opportunity ng DBP-wala po kami na-
bamboo sa ngayon? identify ng ganyan. Kung
may na-identify kau ng
sure market / buyer, mas
madaling magfinance.
Mr. Casiple - kung may
ara na ta market, DBP will
help us plan our strategy.
Critical concern in bamboo
industry.
5 Mr. Casiple - Two weeks ago, I have heard from DepED - 25% of our
a national office naga-canvass ng school chairs chairs is made up of
and desks ang DepED. Kulang ang supply ng bamboo-limited pa ang
bamboo desks and chairs. Let us know para supply
mainform namin ang growers.
CENRO-Kor - expanding plantation of bamboo, Mr. Legaste- farmers are
pag-nalaman ng committee na mayroong need, best decision makers, if

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baka maraming magtatanim,lumiliit po yong they shift the crop.
pinagtatamnan ng rice and corn, I don’t know if we Bamboo suited to semi-
have a policy in the province to limit the marginal to marginal area.
plantation--- Our target is if we tie up w/
province, uunahin namin
yong bundok, reforestation
of watershed area. Dalawa
matatamaan natin:
economic aspect and
environmental aspect.
Honestly, wala pa tayong
klaro na commercial
planting of bamboo. Focus
muna tayo sa reforestation
project.
Mr. Jumilla of PPDO - I like the program of DepED- we could start
DepED concerning propagation of massive campaigning with our
reforestation. Kelan maumpisahan yon district supervisors. We
considering na malapit na ang school year? can involve them in our
advocacies, planting
bamboos. We need also to
linkage with other
agencies. Some of our
schools are using
bamboos as support to
prevention of flood. This
can be done also in lesson
and in project making.
DepED is the best avenue
for advocacy / information
dissemination
Mr. Casiple - Do you have training for carpentry in Tesda-we have two (2)
bamboo? graduates last year in
carpentry. We are waiting
for scholarship. We have a
community- based
technology program. We
can tap other agencies.
Kung mayroon tayong
training, dapat yong trainer
ay certified ng Tesda. We
have an income
generating program. Hindi
bibilhin ng DepED if di
maganda ang
performance/quality.
Dapat ang trainer ay NC-2

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Mr. Casiple- there will be assistance from Mr. Legaste- we can draw
RuMEPP to upgrade bamboo crafting/industry. bamboo road map.
Day 2 – Feb 17
Recapitulation by Mrs. Loida S. Villa
Input 9: Appreciating Value Chain Analysis in Industry Development Planning was
discussed by Mr. Rictoniel T. Reginio. (Appendix I)
Input 10: The Bamboo Industry Value Chain was presented by Mr. Richard Ishmael
Arceño, Bamboo Point Person / STIDS of DTI South Cotabato. (Appendix J)
PROVINCIAL BAMBOO PLANNING / OPEN FORUM / GROUP DISCUSSIONS &
OUTPUT PRESENTATIONS
Mr. Ramon Ponce De Leon facilitated the provincial bamboo planning workshop. He
asked the participants to identify the problems and constraints encountered in the
bamboo industry.
DISCUSSION RESPONSE
Mr. Doming of CENRO Kor - We have many PEMO-There is a gap in
existing bamboo productions, all we need is a market. When you say market,
sure market. it is a marketing of raw
materials. We have a great
supply of bamboo but lack of
marketing schemes.
Tribal Asso., Tboli – We need a proper Inventory/data
documentation and inventory of existing bamboo
stands and newly planted bamboo in order for us
to make a realistic project.
LGU Surallah - Area to be planted, in Surallah
along the riverbanks, wala nabuhi didto siguro sa
flow ng tubig. Siguro sa bukid na lang namon
itanom ky kung sa river bank indi kami kapabuhi.
Tutukan yong project. There should be a focal We take the commitment of the
person –nurturing the planted seeds land owners. Ginapaclaro gid
ina sa adaptors, MOA/ pledge
of commitment
Aileen- lack of quality nursery for bamboo Accredited bamboo nursery
seedlings

9. 9
Elmer- low participation/ attitude of farmers Those who are not committed,
indi pagtagaan sang seedlings
Roger Acosta- pag institutionalize sa ini nga One of the functions of the
industry, legislative support from barangay/, Bamboo industry council is the
municipality, magsulod na ang funding. May mga formulation of the guidelines.
native products, wala kita sang legislation na i- One of the key result areas of
prevent ang pagputol sg bamboo kay damo gamit our planning is policy
bi ang kawayan “pusog” legislative sa cutting sa formulation. It will be needed
existing na punuan. Kung wala basi mag abot ang para ma-institutionalize. We
panahon na mawala. can ask the SP to pass an
ordinance in support of the
bamboo industry council.
Ang mga manguguma concern gid sila sa presyo. Price control council for
Tani ma-regulate ang price. Pagnakita bi na bamboo
successful ang marketing sag bamboo damo
masulod na investors
Barangay awareness on the importance of IEC
bamboo, kelangan IEC
Lack of skills training to produce creative items , Skills training
such as bags, shoes, key chains
Farrol- dapat i-train and see to it the good quality- Product development
Product development
Organizational aspect of our producers.Technical/ Empowerment of bamboo
funding assistance growers & crafters
Crafter-Jojo-Banga Funding support
Lack of funding support
Lack of research center for bamboo, some other Research studies
uses of bamboo, medicinal ba ang bamboo
Summary of Problems and Constraints Identified by the Participants
NO. PROBLEMS AND CONSTRAINTS ENCOUNTERED

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1 Lack of marketing schemes for raw materials (bamboo poles, slats, etc.)
2 No database information systems on:
• Bamboo inventory (newly planted and existing bamboo clumps)
• Potential / identified areas to be planted (not only along riparian areas)
3 Lack of accredited bamboo nurseries
4 Lack of appreciation/ low participation of target beneficiaries
5 Lack of enhancement and know-how on management capabilities in nurturing
of bamboo
6 Poor support of local government units and other agencies (for funding
support)
7 Unregulated utilization of bamboos (burning of clumps, “pusog”)
8 Price stability
9 Lack of advocacy on bamboo
10 Lack of skills training and product development (quality, other uses) for
bamboo
11 No existing organizations for bamboo growers (organizational strengthening
for bamboo crafters)
12 No fund support for bamboo crafters
Mr. Ponce De Leon showed the KRA- South Cotabato Bamboo
Industry/Development Plan
The participants were divided into four groups by sector based on the presented
KRA of South Cotabato Bamboo Industry/Development Plan.
After a thorough discussion, Group A, B, C & D presented their Bamboo
Industry/Development Plan (Appendix K)
Group A – Presentation – Resource Management
Comments / Suggestions:
1. Time Frame on planting
Suggestion: May 2011-2016
-Mr. Jumilla- He commented that “Habang nagaconduct ng data gathering,
umpisahan na ang nursery/planting because we cant wait . We have to consider
na damo kulang, sa crops, kulang gid kaayo, kung hulaton result ng data, kulang
gid. Basi magbaha na sa South Cotabato before planting”.
2. Indicate quantity on Indicators/Expected Output
3. Mr. Casiple asked the specific or detailed amount / budget for the particular
activity. DTI intervention in bamboo industry. Convergence mechanism –
details of budget from where to get the funds/budget. Concrete document for
a fund. Indicative cost is not an existing fund.

11. 11
4. Mrs. Manlisis- suggested for adding the “Source of funds” in the column of a
dev’t plan.
5. Mr. Doming- Training to be facilitated by province, para isa na lang yong pag
hold nila.
6. PEMO- we will conduct the trainer’s training
Mr. Casiple suggested that the submission of budget will be a week after the
conduct of the planning workshop. The body agreed on that suggestion.
Municipal/City Commitments on Establishing Nurseries
1. Marbel- 13 upland brgys. basically all brgys.
2. Tampakan-all brgys
3. Sto. Nino-4 barangays lang
5. Surallah- all brgys.
6. Lake Sebu 19 brgys.
7. Tboli-
8. Banga- 3
9. Tantangan-2
10.Norala-5
11. Polomolok-3
Mr. Ponce De Leon stressed that the municipality must be realistic to fund their
respective nurseries. He said that the PEMO has a budget of Php 600,000 per year
for 5 years-from bamboo alone. He further said that PEMO does not establish
nursery, it is the PAGRI. The PEMO will only buy.
One of the participants asked that, “in case magkaroon ng decision ang LGU to
establish nursery, pwede po ba maka-share ang PEMO kahit na cellophane”? Mr.
Ponce De Leon told that they will see if PEMO has supplies. He stated that “ wala
kaming nursery kaya hindi kami bumibili ng black cellophane. I’l talk to PAO
regarding that”.
Group B – Presentation- Technology, Technical Skills…
NO. COMMENTS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION
TAKEN
Mr. Casiple-may budget ba ang munisipyo sa None
training on bamboo crafting
Polomolok-pag indi pumasok sa training, don na
yan sa LCE

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Mr. Casiple-4.6M last year, dahil na-appreciate
nila ang counterpart
Mr. Casiple –example, Tampakan’s budget is only
40,000, nakapangako kami for funding 250,000
Mr. Doming- nakayama requirement 2M simple
machine, kung sobra-sobrana ang production,
what will happen?
Mr. Casiple-we are not preparing for nakayama,
we are looking for a whole bamboo industry.
Polomolok, LGU – Kanina sa presentation, Mr. Casiple- will help the
nandon yong inventory of crafters, gusto kong non-registered to comply
tingan kasi totoo lahat yon, sa registered, may ara with the requirements. We
pa BIR, Kelangan proteksyunan yong mga have to let them
registered. understand how the
business should be.
Will help all bamboo
crafters to capture market
requirement. We have to
help the entire industry.
Business compliance.
PEMO- what specific activities of the development
of prototype?
Mr. Jumilla - will have to look into na pwede ma
renovate yong protech at the back and we can
acquire basic facilities to be used for trainings.
PEMO-New product designs must submit for
cliniquing
Mr. Jojo (Crafter) - 30 designs in 1 year-individual PEMO-we settled at 60
design
Mr. Jumilla - we are imposing the challenge to
them. If one of them can produce 1 new product
per month.
PEMO – We are talking for what product? Mr. Jumilla- any bamboo
products. We are
. encouraging them to
display their products in
Protech
Mr. Casiple- when you display a prototype, there Mr. Jumilla- showcase the
should be a continued production. product. Not only during
. Kawayan and Tnalak

13. 13
festivals, all festivals
Mr. Jumilla- to be able to
market the products, we
need basic information
from the producers.
Group C - Marketing
NO. COMMENTS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION
TAKEN
Mr. Casiple- mahal ang marketing na cost, too Mr. Jumilla- danger of
expensive, pila ang i-market match? Ang hirap ng marketing a product
market matching na activity.
Group D- Policy
NO. COMMENTS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION
TAKEN
Mr. Casiple- wala bang generic policy na kelangan Mr. Jumilla - I have a
na lang i-enhance? problem regarding the
regulations concerning
Halimba, nasunog, another task force ulit? transport
-kung i-restrict pano mo i-
encourage ang tao na
magtanom, na damo sia
baraydan.
PEMO-I think we can talk
about that in the Council.
PEMO- what do you
suggest?
Mr. Casiple- Strengthen these laws:
1. Environmental protection Law,
2. Law protecting the micro entrepreneur
.
Mr. Casiple - ginadakop ng LTO ang may PEMO-ang pwede lang
kawayan magdakop sa kawayan
ang LGU. CENRO, DENR

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Day 3 - Feb 18
Recap by Ms. Fracel Magno
Message 1: Challenging Stakeholders on Resources on Resources Mobilization and
Environmental Protection
By: Dr. Bighani Manipula, RTD Research of DENR XII
The bamboo industry in the Philippines is becoming lower in production due to
reluctance of our bamboo growers. There are still a lot of things that we should do.
Big challenge on the part of stakeholders, we should tap also the bigger market or
local/ domestic market. That will be sustained particularly the issuance of EO of our
President. There is a shift from traditional to non-timber products. This is where the
challenge lies. We should know these stakeholders, since bamboo contributes a lot
in the protection of environment. We should put the bamboo industry in the limelight
again. Who are these people, the farmers, growers; lot of them owned a land. How
many percent of our population are belonging to rural areas? The problem is how to
mobilize these resources. There should be a complimentary action on the part of the
organizations to assist the land farmers. The attitude of our farmers is to plant and
see. Change the paradigm. They have to create business, create market, and
challenge the private companies. Private landowners, who are just speculating, must
be abandoned. How could we mobilize them? We should create export market.
There are lots of gov’t agencies who are encouraged to develop bamboo industry.
From the provincial gov’t level down to the municipal. Identification of potential
areas. Land use plan is not yet in placed. They can also prepare project proposal
and they also have budget to fund it. They can provide infra support. They need
road, bridges, efficient nurseries, tissue culture laboratory; they can strengthen
bamboo industry organization. I remember during the time of Zamora, he’s a
congressman of Compostela Valley. He was able to put up tissue culture for banana.
In cooperation of DOST, they have able to help them. The economy is very much
working. The local development council, have the resources in crafting resources.
That will lead to dev’t in industry. Executive Order 879 creating the PBIC. The SP-
by having their own aligned policies, The DA, DENR. EO 23. The DA, DAR initiative
in collaboration or sharing or resources, data base, providing technology extension
work and trainings. The DENR like Sitio Acub, They are the one supplying the
planting materials. That helps the economy, which generates employment. The DA
provides financial assistance. WE CHALLENGE THE LINE AGENCIES like DILG,
DTI in providing technology for bamboo processing. And of course, we have the
state colleges and universities-they are providing extension works, Dept of
Agriculture for information/education campaign. Chambers of furniture in the
Philippines on handicrafts industry- linking these organizations or exchange
programs, sharing expertise. Technical support, trainings, document best practices.
They are promoting sales marketing. In South Cotabato, we have a lot of rural
banks, local portfolio to small growers. Like, Mang Inasal, they are accepting orders
for bamboo sticks. They are consuming millions of bamboo sticks. A very good
market for us. They can also extend some resources in some areas. The processor
is coming from Iloilo, producing in somewhere in Luzon, the processor already
design a machine for a particular requirement of Mang Inasal. We have the media.

15. 15
We can challenge the media. They can advocate in terms of bamboo industry.
There are some programs in radio talking in nonsense. They can introduce
something different-change paradigm. Partnerships, all endeavors will end up
nothing. They loosely organized. All stakeholders already involved should help
alleviate poverty condition of our people. Challenging challenge. Let us work
together better if not best in the future. We assure you that DENR has already done
something. The DENR had initiated a project submitted to BIMP-EAGA bamboo and
rattan center. Jesus Doreza wants it Mindanao-wide. I made a proposal only in dev’t
of bamboo industry in Sarangani. It was submitted to Asian Foundation. The DENR
is already doing it shares. I hope that other agencies will cooperate in this
undertaking.
Message 2: Mrs. Flora Gabunales (Appendix L)
We have adopted a clustering approach.This approach was approved by Bamboo
Industry Council. In terms of commitment of DTI, we are mandated to comply with
the Executive Order signed by our governor. The signing of Kawayan festival. As
part of advocacy of DTI, we have identified point person in our agency. We
recognized DENR as the lead agency. With that, other agencies have also their
counterpart. We have our RuMEPP where we put our bamboo industry programs.
We are targeting the poor provinces. What RUMEPP did? We do provide business
enterprises. We give emphasis on engineered bamboo. I thank the school board.
Part of the advocacy is the e-bambu roadshows.
LGU Tupi immediately provide us the data of bamboo. Dir. Frank said that we should
look forward for more interventions. We will be linking to Nakayama and agencies.
We are assured of the participation of all stakeholders. In this three-day activity the
different agencies showed already their commitments.
Message 3: Strengthening Economic Development through Regional Connectivity
By: Ms. Felicidad Guerrero of NEDA XII. (Appendix M)

16. 16
Day 3 – Open Forum
Members of the Panel:
1. PD Gabunales
2. Dr. Manipula
3. Ms. Guerrero
Before the forum was started, Dr. Manipula stated that the DENR is conducting an
inventory this year that they can share to other agencies.
NO. ISSUES AND CONCERNS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION
TAKEN
Mr. Casiple – propose a project for funding of NEDA- we have a book there
NEDA of different sources which
could access for assistance.
Kung walang pera yong industry- to lobby the NEDA-provided that you have
plan to existing agencies for funding the PBIC, good project proposal, we
the council can endorse a resolution have to follow the
requirements of the funding
agencies to access on their
funds.
Dr. Manipula – In DENR, our
stakeholders are being
provided a livelihood project It
is only on the matter of
preparation. That’s a very
good avenue.
NEDA-ligwasan mars riparian
reforestation they used
bamboo.
Mrs. Jo Gabucan of Tupi – requested for the DTI- we have a massive
provision of reading materials / IEC regarding conduct of roadshows. We will
bamboos for the farmers in their barangay. be providing booklets, cd and
other reading materials.
DENR- we have a division on
technology transfer
information in-charge of
conducting training, producing
and giving of leaflets. In tupi,
we have a publication about
the “poor bamboo”. I prepared
the proposal submitted to
support fund for that. We can

17. 17
provide training on that.
DTI- DTI has counterpart in
the roadshows, nandon na
yong materials na pwedeng
ibigay.
Mr. Nono of PAGRI - suggested putting up the DTI- we have made a website
bamboo network in agencies and the www.grou.ps/southcotbamboo
stakeholders. Bamboo information network- to guide everyone. It’s a
collaboration of agencies & stakeholders- matter of linking on this info
sites.
DTI-Isali sa roadshow
Mr. Sumagaysay – With the formalization of Dir. Gabunales - indi tayo
this bamboo, can you make a conservative nakagawa ng gimelina
estimate how many years from now this industry before.
bamboo will be in full swing? He stated that, Isinali nating target market
“ang gimelina, sa simula mabuti, but die in yong DepED. Furniture
natural death”. makers that will be organizing
soon. Part of our fund support
for furniture makers - sila
gagamit ng engineered
bamboo. Hindi na tayo
magestablish ng----
This is not only the concern of
DTI-with the help of
everybody sigurado may
pupuntahan. Learnings from
the past. Iaayos ang direction
setting. Mr. Frank Bunoan
mentioned that naiiba ang
strategy natin. Nagseset na
tayo ng direction with
enactment of executive order,
the provincial governor is
there, titingnan natin kung
naaayon tayo sa set na
direction. We’d like to see this
project succeed.
Mr. Sumagaysay – This is not a question but a DTI- sinabi ni Frank Bunoan-
suggestion that NEDA could act. Iloilo I’l be bringing more, Kasali na
magagaling na gumawa ng bamboo craft. sa inventory ang players,
Regional connectivity, pwede siguro makuha crafters…
natin yong magagaling na craftsman na
ilonggo na makakatulong din sa atin. Iba kasi
yong ability nila. Gumagawa sila ng bahay na
walang pako-bamboo din yong pako. Expert
silang gumawa ng “amakan”. Suggestion –
mag-amakan tayo kaysa drier na cement.

18. 18
NEDA- How is the durability of the bamboo? It depends upon the bamboo.
What is the life span of bamboo if it will use in If it is Kayawan, it will last up
making furniture? to 30 yrs.
DTI-part of skills training when
Is the technology expensive? to harvest and how to treat
bamboos
DTI- The equipment is very
simple. This is portable or can
be brought in the area to
come up w/ bamboo slices.
Request for lakbay-aral DTI-benchmarking/learning
mission to take a look at what
happened in Abra.
NEDA- how much is the cost of the desks? DTI-mas strong ang bamboo
Casiple mahal ang bamboo ng P12 kaysa sa wood
DENR-cost variable- There is
a lot of factors to consider. If
we can establish pole, hub,
the cheaper. We can lower
the cost.
Casiple- The study tour “lakbay-aral” will be on DTI - the governor is asking
April. We cannot afford to pay for everybody. about the cost. Magkano nga
Second, when we go back after the study ba kung gagawa ng hub?
mission, the “hub” must be established CITC to share the design. Ano
immediately. yong mga available na
technologies. We have a lot of
fabricators. It’s a matter of
having a prototype.
DENR- may worry lang ako sa
bamboo as a commodity.
Bamboos are being
propagated—the sources of
materials are very very old.
More than 200 yrs. We cannot
say that plant is very young.
Genetically, that is very very
old. If that come that genes
will proceed to --- stage. They
will all die. The reason why
some scientists worried about
that. How to determine the

19. 19
factors that may affect the
bamboo flowering. It should
be reported if the bamboo
keeps on flowering.
Production natin,
macrosmatic, the same
genetic age. You will notice
that some clumps tinik are
flowering. If you observed that
particular clump is flowering,
that is still alive. Please give
us information. Penology of
bamboo.