Bamboo Fever

Bamboo talk is all over Pampanga. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 through the leadership of Director Blesila Lantayona recently called on all stakeholders, including those from other provinces, to come up with a road map for bamboo development. With a directive from the national government, DTI took the initiative among national government agencies to push for the development of engineered bamboo products to become mainstream industry in the region.

The Pampanga Bamboo Development Council (PBDC) and the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), on the other hand, continue to work on the propagation of bamboo in the province.

Aside from the P5 million allotted by the provincial government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the bamboo program that was presented by the bamboo council last year, the PBDC is now working on a proposal for the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) for the establishment of a bamboo plantation at the Clark sub-zone area.

During a recent meeting with CDC President Benny Ricafort, ADCL proposed that the
1,240 hectares reforestation land at the sub-zone could be considered for bamboo plantation. Ricafort has requested ADCL to submit the proposal as soon as possible for their review and possible approval.

ADCL, being the main player behind the PBDC, finds it appropriate to take advantage of the Clark sub-zone’s available area for reforestation. In order for the bamboo industry to truly materialize, CITC Director Frank Bonuan said at least 50 hectares of plantation is needed to sustain the supply needed by small scale manufacturers of bamboo engineered products.

Although Pampanga has the capability to manufacture bamboo engineered products at this point in time, the supply is too unpredictable, making it quite risky to enter into such investment. But with the PBDC and ADCL’s proposal to use the 1,240 hectare reforestation are of sub-zone, the concern on supply will be answered within a period of five years.