14,600 hectares of bamboo plantations have been established in C. Luzon since 2012

Since 2012, more than 14,600 hectares of bamboo plantations have been established in Central Luzon to rehabilitate degraded forest areas and stabilize river banks in the region.

DENR Region 3 (Central Luzon) Executive Director Paquito Moreno Jr. on Monday said the propagation of bamboo in the region supports Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s order to plant bamboo as a priority species and use it to rehabilitate river banks and the Manila Bay.

Cimatu also believes that bamboo can be used to rehabilitate degraded forestlands as well and that we should promote the development of sustainable bamboo plantations.

Studies show that there are 62 bamboo species in the Philippines, 21 of which are considered endemic to the country.

Four bamboo species are planted in the region’s Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP) sites—the Bayog (Bambusa blumeana variety Luzonensis), Kawayan Tinik (Bambusa blumeana), Kawayan Kiling (Bambusa vulgaris), and Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus).

Bamboo, also known as “poor man’s lumber,” has become what some call a “green-gold resource” because of its sustainability and rising value in the global economy, being among the country’s fastest-growing and versatile forest products.

Beyond its extensive use in various industries from construction to handicrafts, bamboo plays a vital role in developing disaster-resilient communities by rebuilding eroded soil and stabilizing critical areas against landslides.

Moreover, it helps mitigate the impacts of climate change by absorbing a high amount of carbon dioxide and producing a high level of oxygen.

“Help us plant more bamboo species to make our communities resilient against disasters and calamities,” said Moreno.

SOURCE: PNA