The Philippines will pursue a P100.05-million bamboo work program this year that includes trade and marketing in global venues to promote Filipino innovations in bamboo architecture and other products
The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBDIC) is sustaining inter-agency programs for Filipino bamboo products despite prevailing budgetary constraints.
As the council is composed of several government agencies led by the Department of Trade and Inudstry (DTI), PBIDC is consolidating budgets in order to implement the 2024 program, according to PBIDC vice chairman Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, also Department of Agriculture (DA) undersecretary.
“Bamboo is an industry where we have huge potential to earn from export. This is why PBIDC is putting up with our present budgetary lack to promote our products that are really world class,” said Savellano.
Foremost among the trade exhibitions is the First Philippine Bamboo Conference and Exhibition on Architecture, Interior Design and Construction. About P8 million is being allocated, with P5 million being sourced from the Department of Science and Technology.
DTI Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona said other venues for bamboo’s promotion are the Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFW) and Manila FAME, Asia’s trade show for home, furnishings and lifestyle. PIFW and Manila FAME will have P1 million allocation each.
The country’s biggest construction show, Philconstruct Expo, and the National Trade Fair will also have bamboo exhibitions.
As bamboo is seen as a sunshine industry, P24 million is being allocated by PBIDC for Nationwide Nursery Establishment and Management in 2024.
To support the identification of existing bamboo plantations, PBIDC is earmarking a P5-million budget for the Bamboo Inventory and Technology-Enabled Mapping (BRITEMAP).
Inventory mapping of bamboo plantations will be critical now that many private companies have started investing in bamboo product manufacturing, according to PBIDC Executive Director Rene Butch Madarang.
PBIDC is looking to expand the BRITEMAP program to as many regions of the Philippines. This will facilitate supply for bamboo raw materials of investors that are now putting up manufacturing plants all over the country, said Madarang.
Engineered bamboo is now being manufactured by the Philippines and is seen to potentially substitute P400 billion worth of wood imports. PBIDC is supporting this vision with its program for Value Chain Analysis for Bamboo as an Architectural and Construction Material.