PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the bamboo has potential for economy and agriculture industry.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Usec. Evelyn Laviña said in a virtual presser on Thursday that aside from its benefit to the environment, it could also generate income from its potential value-added products as it is currently considered as one of the high-value crops in the country.
She said toothpicks, barbeque sticks, bamboo cups, walls, furniture, and even fences could be made out of bamboo.
“Ang bamboo is considered as high value crop, una it is very good in the environment, nakaka-hold ng water and good also for climate, cooling effect of the climate, run ng water, pwede siya sa boarders. Pero ang pinaka-importante diyan, itong bamboo ay ang laki-laki ng income, maraming pwede gawin,” Laviña said. (Bamboo is considered a high value crops. First, it is very good for the environment. It can hold water and good also for climate, cooling effect of the climate, it can be used for running water in boarders. But most importantly, bamboo can result in big income. May things can be done.)
Laviña also said that DA is now establishing its system in distribution of seedlings of bamboo with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to encourage Filipinos plant bamboos and make products.
“Ito ay binigay na assignment ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources; now it’s the team of DA, DENR, DTI, with Agrarian Reform (DAR), nandito na rin yong bamboo sa atin, sa DA, kasi pwede na rin natin siya kainin, may income, may pambili na rin ng pagkain,” she said. (This is the assignment given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; now it’s the team of DA, DENR, DTI, with Agrarian Reform (DAR), now that bamboo is with us, the DA, this can be eaten, become a source of income so will have money to buy food.)
Previously, the Brooke's Point town in southern Palawan Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) said that they are pushing to raise local awareness of the economic benefits of bamboo.
They also aim to spread awareness and to push Palaweños to generate product out of it.
Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph.