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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Villar to DENR: Use bamboo to address lumber shortage

Villar to DENR: Use bamboo to address lumber shortage

Published Oct 21, 2021 02:28 pm

Senator Cynthia A. Villar on Thursday October 21 strongly suggested the use of the resilient bamboo in place of lumber which is in short supply in the Philippines.

In today’s budget hearing, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu told Villar that the country’s lumber production is one million cubic feet per year and imports four million cubic feet of lumber.

Cimatu sought a 2022 P25.29 billion budget for DENR and its attached agencies.

Villar, a businesswoman, said bamboos are sustainable and they grow when there are cut down compared to trees that take years or decades to grow before they are cut to produce lumber.

She pointed out that trees are for reforestation and are meant ‘’to protect our lands.’’

Villar advised Cimatu to plant bamboos in nationally-declared protected areas because they are watched by the population and members of Congress who declare them protected areas.

Members of Congress also take an interest in DENR’s forest reforestation projects through its National Greening Program (NGP) that costs P3.6 billion.

Cimatu agreed by saying the DENR would increase its quota for bamboo planting.

Villar stressed the importance of DENR protecting 7.7 million hectares out of the government-owned 30 million hectares as its share in environmental protection.

Cimatu said scientific studies show that the Philippines incurs P177 billion in losses due to typhoons and earthquakes every year.

Global warming is caused by human activities through the years.

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