Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

BUSINESSWORLD, July 20, 2010

By: S.Q. Meniano

PALO, LEYTE – The Trade department is promoting the development of engineered bamboo in Samar a part of its thrust address poverty and the need to preserve the environment.

Department of Trade Industry (DTI) regional director Cynthia R. Nierras said yesterday that her office will implement the engineered bamboo project in Eastern Visayas, with focus on Samar island, this year.  “We will focus on Samar because of its big upland area and the project will benefit a lot of people in the community,” Ms. Nierras said by phone.

Under the project, the DTI will provide bamboo desk-making machines and training for interested entrepreneurs.

The so-called e-bamboo project is envisioned to help in the protection and conservation of environment and, at the same time, uplift the living conditions of marginalized upland farmers.

Bmaboo grows to as high as 50 feet within a short period and is used as alternative to lumber as well as raw material for furniture, among others.  The plant has also been found to rejuvenate soil fertility.  Its root system also controls soil erosion.

Ms. Nierras said a survey conducted by a nongovernment organization showed that Northern Samar has 5,854 existing bambooclumps, Samar has 5,715, and Eastern Samar has, 2,657.

Bamboo poles are mainly used in fishing operations in Samar.

In towns bordering Maqueda Bay, a group of fisherman estimated that around 300,000 bamboo poles are being cut and used every month, worth about P11 million in a year.

Ms. Nierras said her office has lined up training seminars on how to process bamboo into new forms of furniture.

Encouraging upland villagers to propagate bamboo is also a component of the program.

The project is being implemented in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Science and Technology.

Ms. Nierras said her office is also talking with the Department of Education on the possibility of ensuring that 25% of all public schools in the region  will use desks made of processed bamboo.

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

MALACAÑANG

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 1127

DECLARING THE THIRD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR AS “FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS WEEK”

WHEREAS, it has been declared a policy of the State to promote, support, strengthen and encourage the growth and development of small enterprises in all productive sectors of the country;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 6977, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Small Enterprises:, as amended, was enacted to effectively spur the promotion, growth and development of small enterprises nationwide through the establishment of adequate support structures in financing and credit delivery systems, training, appropriate technology transfer, common service facilities and the active participation of the private sector, among others;

WHEREAS, the furniture and furnishings industries are composed of 90% small and medium enterprises and are considered productive sectors of the economy, having been declared as part of the revenue streams of the government;

WHEREAS, there is a need to enhance the competitiveness of the sector and create a positive impression as competition in both local and foreign markets is becoming more rigid;

WHEREAS, there is a also a need to institute consistent and continuos awareness and assurance among all the players of the industry considering the effects of globalization and the need to be more competitive;

WHEREAS, there is also a need to promote and strengthen the partnership between the furniture and furnishings sectors to ensure business viability and create a stronger voice for the sector and its allied industries;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the third week of September of each year as “FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS WEEK”, under the auspices of the Department of Trade and Industry and Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, Inc. Proclamation No. 368 dated September 4, 2000 is hereby repealed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24^th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By authority of the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

Source: http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/proc_no1127.htm