Kilambay Plantation Corporation (KPC), a Mindanao-based agricultural service provider known for its dedication to environmental conservation and social progress having formalized an agreement with members of the Erumanen ne Menuvu tribe, said it has already operationalized 3,000 hectares of giant bamboos and created about 400 jobs for indigenous peoples (IPs).

In a statement, Jerry John Taray, KPC's Chief Executive Officer, said their first plantation site in Carmen, Cotabato consisting of 3,000 hectares is already operational and has employed about 400 IPs, both in administrative and plantation work.

"The plantation site in Carmen is just the beginning, we are targeting to open up and start planting in other sites in Mindanao this year so we can assist more indigenous communities. This project measures around 25,000 hectares and spans across different municipalities," said Taray.

Overall, KPC targets to plant 9,570,000 giant bamboo seedlings that can be harvested after 6 years and shall serve as the IPs' main source of livelihood for several years to come. 

KPC and the Erumanen ne Menuvu tribe signed an agreement in Cotabato on 25 August 2023 where both sides agreed to establish giant bamboo plantations in various areas in Mindanao that will provide livelihood opportunities for indigenous peoples and promote climate change mitigation.

The agreement was formalized through the granting of the Certificate of Precondition, warranting KPC to officially jumpstart the giant bamboo plantation project involving the Erumanens, one of the major Manobo tribes in Southern Philippines. 

The giant bamboo plantation follows strict protocols and operating procedures based on Verra's policies. Verra is a non-profit organization that develops and manages standards for climate action and sustainable development.

"Together with our partners, geo-tagging is implemented to establish and maintain integrity and transparency in the bamboo value chain process that is critical in securing Verra accreditation."

The project will also assist the government in battling climate change as it will facilitate reforestation of various areas in Mindanao. The bamboo tree has a high carbon sequestration capability, it can absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as compared to other trees, making it an important asset in the fight against climate change.

To assist in capacity building and guarantee a consistent market for their outputs, KPC also partnered with Rizome PH, a manufacturing company that produces engineered bamboo known for its durability and various purposes in the construction industry. Rizome PH assists KPC in building the IPs' capacity in terms of plantation work guided by Verra standards.

"We are also proud to share that KPC, together with Rizome PH and Climate Impact Partners (CIP) are working towards getting Verra accreditation this year," Taray added.

Likewise, KPC has established partnerships and linkages with several local government units and national government agencies to ensure smooth project implementation. With the aim of ensuring long-term financial stability among IPs, KPC also launched a financial literacy program that will enable them to learn how to make wise financial decisions and open bank accounts where they can store their money securely.