SANTA CRUZ, Laguna (PIA) – What things can we make from the versatile and sustainable bamboo? Let’s count the ways.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), bamboo should not be treated as a mere natural resource but also as a platform for sustainable development, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.
Incidentally, the country celebrates the Philippine Bamboo Month this September.
“Bamboo is no longer just a plant – it is a platform. A platform for sustainable development, for rural revitalization, and for ecological stewardship,” DOST FPRDI Director Rico Cabangon stated during the Laguna Bamboo Day celebration held at the Laguna Provincial Capitol.
The DOST-FPRDI further emphasized that bamboo goes beyond being a traditional material for construction and handicrafts. Bamboo is now treated as a renewable resource with vast potential in industries such as furniture, engineered products, textiles, food, energy, and even eco-industrial innovation.
Bamboo grows rapidly and absorbs carbon dioxide more efficiently than many tree species, making it an effective ally in mitigating climate change.
The agency also pointed out that promoting bamboo-based industries creates livelihood opportunities for local communities, especially farmers and artisans.
“A recent value chain analysis has quantified what many of us have long intuited: that bamboo in Laguna is not just viable, it is thriving. With an estimated annual valuation exceeding P100 million, we are looking at an industry that is not only growing, but is glowing with potential,” Cabango stated.
He added: “But this figure is more than a financial metric. It is a reflection of ingenuity, of enterprise, and of the quiet determination of communities that saw beyond the stalk and into the future.”
The Laguna leg of the celebration featured a trade fair, technology demonstrations, and forums where stakeholders—from local government units to entrepreneurs and researchers—discuss ways to utilize bamboo into mainstream economic planning.
Schools and youth organizations are also encouraged to participate in bamboo planting activities, reinforcing the role of the younger generation in environmental stewardship.
Through its ongoing programs, the DOST hopes to transform bamboo from being viewed merely as a plant into a powerful platform that bridges environmental protection, community empowerment, and industrial growth. (AM/PIA-4A)