The Provincial Government is ramping up its Bamboo Development Program to reduce disaster risks, strengthen climate change adaptation, and boost opportunities in the local bamboo industry.
The initiative, led by the Forest and Inland Water Management Division (FID) of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, is anchored at the Integrated Provincial Environment Management Center (IPEMC) in Barangay Tinongcop, Tantangan. The center houses both a nursery and a Bambusetum—a living collection of bamboo species—that serve as sources of bamboo propagules and forest tree seedlings.
According to Supervising Environmental Specialist Mary Jane G. Manlisis, the facility plays a key role in sustaining bamboo propagation across the province.
“This year, we are producing 7,000 bamboo propagules to support planting activities with local governments,” Manlisis said.
She added that the initiative serves both as an environmental strategy to protect natural resources and an economic driver that supports livelihoods and the local bamboo industry.
“Bamboo helps reduce disaster risks and adapt to climate change by protecting vulnerable areas, while also providing sustainable raw materials for the bamboo industry,” she explained.
The Bambusetum at IPEMC showcases various bamboo species, serving as a learning site that promotes awareness, appreciation, and knowledge about bamboo among local communities.
“Through the Bambusetum, we want people to see the diversity and importance of bamboo—not just as a grass, but as a vital resource for our future,” Manlisis emphasized.
The province-wide program continues to collaborate with local government units through their respective environment and natural resources offices to ensure the sustainability of bamboo planting efforts.
