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.