PALO, Leyte -- To promote a more sustainable bamboo industry, the province of Leyte held its First Bamboo Summit here on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
President of the League of the Municipalities-Leyte chapter and Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, the lead convenor of the summit, stressed the importance and potential of the bamboo industry to provide livelihood in the community.
"My wish for everybody here today is to be inspired and join me in my quest to help our communities by expanding bamboo technology not only in Leyte but the rest of the country," she said.
She also shared the plan to create a bamboo farm and bamboo park in Palo town, which will also serve as a tourist site.
Also present were National Security Adviser and Chairperson Emeritus of Bamboo Warriors Philippines, Secretary Clarita Carlos, and former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol.
Carlos pointed out that climate change is no longer an environmental but a national and international security concern.
She challenged the provincial government of Leyte to work on making the Philippines the bamboo capital of the Indo-Pacific region.