Business Bayani PH

The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) is urging stakeholders to rally behind Senate Bill (SB) 605. This proposed legislation, titled “An Act Institutionalizing the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program,” is designed to enhance the growth of the bamboo sector.

Expressing the urgency of the matter, PBIDC Director Rene Madarang emphasized the need to streamline laws related to the bamboo industry. He stated, “The proposed law will serve as a roadmap for future government and private sector collaboration on developing bamboo products.”

Madarang also highlighted ongoing research showcasing the potential of bamboo-derived products. Studies indicate that “bamboo vinegar” and “bamboo liquid extract” can be refined into disinfectants or anti-fungal products, aligning with the memorandum of understanding (MOA) recently signed by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI).

Under this MOA, a project titled “Bamboo Liquor PH: Local Innovation for Quality Use of Organic Pesticide Resource in the Philippines” is set to explore the development of organic pesticides from bamboo innovations, with the aim of boosting agricultural production.

DA Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano stressed the importance of directing government-funded agriculture research and development (R&D) efforts toward areas with commercial value. He noted, “We need to concentrate on R&D projects that are useful in a business sense, not something that will simply be filed away in a library shelf.”

Savellano, who authored House Bill 9576, also known as the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act, emphasized the need for research to have practical applications. The bill was passed earlier this year in the House of Representatives, while the Senate is still deliberating on its version.

While advocating for the bamboo industry, Savellano pointed out that other local plants, like tobacco, could be harnessed for their value as organic pesticides. He cited studies demonstrating that tobacco can be processed into insect repellents, pesticides, or fertilizers. “Tobacco dust,” for instance, serves as an effective insect repellent for various applications, from commercial fish ponds to household kitchens.

Investors are eagerly awaiting the development of technologies that can enhance farm production across the country. Savellano stressed the importance of these advancements in averting food shortages and inflationary surges.

The call for support for SB 605 comes at a crucial time when collaboration and streamlined regulations are essential for the growth of the bamboo industry. As stakeholders join forces, the passage of this bill could pave the way for a more robust and sustainable bamboo sector, addressing both economic and agricultural needs in the Philippines. ◼