BAMBOO INDUSTRY FORUM AND PROVINCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOPFebruary 16-18, 2011

Fred Ann’s Food Haus, City of Koronadal

NARRATIVE REPORT

Introduction

As the Philippine government is committed to promote and establish bamboo industry in the country, Executive Order No. 879, series of 2010 was crafted and promulgated, creating the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) to promote the bamboo industry development project and directing the use of bamboo for at least twenty five (25%) percent of the desk and other furniture requirements of public elementary and secondary schools and prioritizing the use of bamboo in furniture, fixtures and allocating funds therefor and for other purposes.

The Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies, (NGAs), and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) envisioned a collaborative effort in pursuing a convergence approach in the bamboo industry development which will significantly contribute to the mitigation of climate change and protection of environment. It is therefore understood that this synergy or forging of common understanding of all sectors/stakeholders will bring about a cohesive partnership in achieving government goals and objectives.

Along this premise, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, by virtue of Executive Order No. 05, series of 2011, created the South Cotabato Industry Development Council and Institutionalization of the Kawayan Festival to provide the over-all policy and program directions for all the bamboo industry stakeholders.

In this endeavor, to drumbeat the advocacy on bamboo industry development, the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotions Program (RuMEPP), a special program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and International Fund for Agricultural Development, in partnership with the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, had conducted the three-day Provincial Bamboo Forum and Industry Planning Workshop. This initiative is funded under the RuMEPP of DTI.

ProceedingsDay 1 – February 16

The activity commenced with preliminaries. Hon. Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy, Jr., governor of South Cotabato welcomed the participants and guests in the Provincial

Bamboo Forum and Planning Workshop. He said that he is proud of PEMO for giving support to this activity particularly in the reforestation program using bamboo.He stated that the provincial government will try to include in the supplemental budget the provision of bamboo seedlings / planting materials. He stressed that the provincial government will give its share in the development of bamboo industry.

PD Flora P. Gabunales, Provincial Director of DTI South Cotabato introduced the Keynote Speaker.

Mr. Franklin Bunoan, Executive Director of DTI-Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC), the Keynote Speaker presented the E-Bambu Philippines (Appendix A). He said that bamboo helps mitigate climate change and it helps protect the environment. He further said that bamboo is a great help in the economy, disaster risk management and it helps generate job opportunities 160 times than lumber does.

Mr. Ernesto C. Casiple, Jr., RPO of DTI-RuMEPP presented the Personal Commitments: Networking & Climate Action Session.

Input 1: The Provincial Bamboo Situationer and the Recommended Actions was presented by Mr. Ramon B. Ponce De Leon, Provincial Environment Management Officer (Appendix B).

Input 2: The topics on Revisiting Community-Based Forest Management Agreement: The Role of PENRO in Promoting Bamboo Industry and Climate Change Adaptation was tackled by Forester Efren Hibaler of PENRO South Cotabato (Appendix C).

Input 3: The Business of Environmental Protection was discussed by Mr. Rictoniel Reginio, CTIDS of DTI South Cotabato (Appendix D).

Day 1 - OPEN FORUM (Part 1)Panel Members:

1. Mr. Franklin Bunoan2. Mr. Ramon Ponce De Leon3. Mr. Rictoniel Reginio

After the presentation, the following issues and concerns were raised by the participants:

NO. ISSUES AND CONCERNS / DISCUSSION

RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN

1 Mr. Fruto Sumagaysay of PIO - DTI encourages the propagation of bamboo. We observed that there are lots of farmers who are using bamboo or its “tambo” as food substitute. If you are

Mr. Franklin Bunoan- I was emphasizing on engineered bamboo. It will transform bamboo into six clumps in one to three years old. Its implication is yong sobra sa

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espousing the propagation of bamboo-five pillars, what is your plan regarding that matter? “Ipagbabawal ba ang pagpanambo ng mga farmers”?

anim kelangan iharvest yon, karamihan ng local govt units nagpapasa ng ordinance. Bawal yon. They should teach the farmers how to harvest “tambo”. If dalawa ang bamboo, harvesin yong maliit. That is one point na itinuturo sa clump mngt . Ang annual harvest mo nag-aaverage 1 thou to 2thou tons. Not all kawayan as masarap yong tambo.

2 Dir. Maisalam G. Macarimbang of TESDA – May I know if you have a study about bamboo medicinal/health benefits?

Mr. Bunoan – distillate chemicals from bamboo. In other countries, where bamboo industry has been developed, they have studies on that. In the Phil., we have no study yet on the bamboo medicinal benefits. “Mataas yong capital requirements sa industry nito for textile. Tinitingnan natin kung saan po tayo uunlad agad

3 Participant (Jo) – Requested PEMO to include the Samahan ng Magsasaka Cooperative in the procurement of bamboos in order to less the hauling fee

Mr. Ramon Ponce De Leon of PEMO - RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act). May I suggest for the Samahan to write the governor thru the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in order that the Samahan will be included in the canvass/bidding. The problem there is, does the Samahan have complete papers? Last time, we were able to buy bamboos in Gensan from the individual bamboo growers. We were not allowed by BAC to do it again because it should undergo bidding process, yet we can arrange that. They allow now a MOA between the suppliers and the buyer especially Samahan is a cooperative or people’s organization.

4 Dir. Macarimbang of TESDA- In the fields of Carpentry NC-2 and Carpentry NC-3, you (referring to Mr. Bunoan) have presented the harvesting, splitting of bamboos, are those skills highly technical?

Mr. Bunoan- Not all occupations are in the formal sectors. The emergence of the technologies always comes first before giving definitions to occupations.There is no training regulations yet, “Pag nacompose na yong kawayan,

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“Kasi nangyari eh, hindi na-dedevelop yong training regulations”.

doon i-create yong occupational title. A this point in time, the bamboo industry devt council has not yet look into the devt of training courses for this occupation primarily because “pabago-bago sia”.

5 Mrs. Alejandra Villacampa of LGU-Polomolok – Why is it that the municipality of Polomolok was not included in the list of bamboo crafters?

-Do we have a technology in bamboo charcoal making? “Paano nautilize ang waste na hindi masasayang”

PEMO - based on “bahay-kubo”, Jane Manlisis invited Polomolok.Anyway, we recognized Polomolok as one of the crafters.

Mr. Bunoan- What do you want in technology, is it high-cost or low-cost technology? Gusto mo ba na waste material mo lang iboboil-kung ano yong makukuha mong uling, ilalagay don, charcoal decaying machine. Napakarami ng schematics/working drawings for low-cost charcoal making, I hope that DOST can give input on that.

6 Mr. Benigno Aquino from TESDA South Cotabato – What is the reason why the municipality of Tantangan is not a beneficiary of bamboo crafting?

PEMO – That depends on the efficiency of MENRO to request. We are not forgetting Tantangan, actually we have provided many planting materials in Tantangan. You can request for it.

7 Casiple – Do we have data on bamboo-how many are planted?

PEMO – The data is not complete because it was only two weeks when the inventory has conducted.

8 Participant from DENR – We will be conducting an inventory on bamboo. We can assure the local govt units in region 12 that we will be providing the data.Not yet identify the bamboo species. Specie 1, specie 2

That is a very important information – that the time the local govt wl come in

Mr. Bunoan- problems encountered in pricing, there must be a method on rationalizing it.-you should know the accessibility

9 Mrs. Victoria Farrol, MENRO Mr. Bunoan – I have said during my

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designate-Sto. Niño– I have attended all the trainings conducted by DTI.

“Ito bang kawayan natin ma-sustain natin? Halimbawa, magtanim tayo ngayon, the DTI will give us the technology, baka pagdating sa punto na marami na kaming harvest, wala na kaming buyer. Like what happened sa kaong na tonetonelada, marami na kaming ginawa.Ang rate ng kawayan sa puno pa lang is P70. Mas matibay ang bayog-150. Baka wala naman kaming buyer. Malaki ang gastos sa kawayan. Kelangan naming ng technology nio hanggang sa katapusan.

Mr. Casiple- yong mga potential growers ng gimelina indi na nag-cocommunicate. It is our role to connect w/ investors.

presentation that right now, we have many potential investors na matatakot, ilang dept /sangay ng govt na nagsasabi na magtanim ng kawayan. Sa Benguet, yong kanilang “afus”, if they will be sending out invitation, ito yong tinatawag namin na confidential building market, mas competitive ang open market,

Mr. Reginio- iba ang sitwasyon nong nata de coco. indi maganda yong quality ng product natin, kaya naapektuhan ang producers. Tungkol sa kawayan, there should be a collaborative effort among gov’t agencies to initiate market opportunities. If the market opportunity could be accessed then, it would be dynamic. We cannot hold the investors. It is a risk taking endeavor.

Input 4: Mrs. Maisalam G. Macarimbang Provincial Director of TESDA South Cotabato presented the topics on Upgrading Technical Skills Towards Improve Bamboo Based Products. (Appendix E)

Input 6: DBP Programs for MSMEs and Bamboo Industry was presented by Ms. Ivie Sabellano and Mr. Oscar E Sarmineto, Jr. of DBP Southern Mindanao, GSC. (Appendix F) Input 7: Ms. Jocelyn P. Celda from DepED Division of South Cotabato discussed the Education Commitment to Environment Protection Focus on Bamboo. (Appendix G)

Input 8: The Role of Agriculture in Bamboo Industry Development was tackled by Mr. Reynaldo H. Legaste, Provincial Agriculturist of the province (Appendix H).

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Day 1 – Open Forum (Part 2)Panel Members:

1. Mr. Reynaldo H. Legaste2. Mrs. Maisalam G. Macarimbang3. DBP Team4. Mrs. Jocelyn Celda

NO. ISSUES AND CONCERNS RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN

1 Mrs. Jane Manlisis - DBP reforestation program, 30%, hanggang ilang taon tayo magkakaroon ng ganong scheme?

DBP - hanggang mabayaran ang terms of reference

2 Mr. Casiple- Climate financing facility Ms. Ivie of DBP - Head office project yan sia. To register the project itself, as of now, documentation is still on going, will inform if ok na yong project.

3 Participant form DENR- massive production of bamboo, concerned agencies to establish, we need a very efficient nursery when we can produce, maybe we can encourage LGU to establish nurseries

Mr. Legaste of PAGRI –In nursery production, we have to identify what type of bamboo to produce and where to plant. DBP partnership- grant w/ DBP, our target area is purposely for reforestation. Criteria ng DBP dapat malapit sia sa kalsada. Road map. Critical is the hauling of cut lings. 50% mortality ng seedlings.

4 Mrs. Andang- ano ang marketing opportunity ng bamboo sa ngayon?

DBP-wala po kami na-identify ng ganyan. Kung may na-identify kau ng sure market / buyer, mas madaling magfinance.

Mr. Casiple - kung may ara na ta market, DBP will help us plan our strategy. Critical concern in bamboo industry.

5 Mr. Casiple - Two weeks ago, I have heard from a national office naga-canvass ng school chairs and desks ang DepED. Kulang ang supply ng bamboo desks and chairs. Let us know para mainform namin ang growers.

DepED - 25% of our chairs is made up of bamboo-limited pa ang supply

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CENRO-Kor - expanding plantation of bamboo, pag-nalaman ng committee na mayroong need, baka maraming magtatanim,lumiliit po yong pinagtatamnan ng rice and corn, I don’t know if we have a policy in the province to limit the plantation---

Mr. Legaste- farmers are best decision makers, if they shift the crop. Bamboo suited to semi-marginal to marginal area. Our target is if we tie up w/ province, uunahin namin yong bundok, reforestation of watershed area. Dalawa matatamaan natin: economic aspect and environmental aspect. Honestly, wala pa tayong klaro na commercial planting of bamboo. Focus muna tayo sa reforestation project.

Mr. Jumilla of PPDO - I like the program of DepED concerning propagation of massive reforestation. Kelan maumpisahan yon considering na malapit na ang school year?

DepED- we could start campaigning with our district supervisors. We can involve them in our advocacies, planting bamboos. We need also to linkage with other agencies. Some of our schools are using bamboos as support to prevention of flood. This can be done also in lesson and in project making.DepED is the best avenue for advocacy / information dissemination

Mr. Casiple - Do you have training for carpentry in bamboo?

Tesda-we have two (2) graduates last year in carpentry. We are waiting for scholarship. We have a community- based technology program. We can tap other agencies. Kung mayroon tayong training, dapat yong trainer ay certified ng Tesda. We have an income generating program. Hindi bibilhin ng DepED if di maganda ang

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performance/quality. Dapat ang trainer ay NC-2

Mr. Casiple- there will be assistance from RuMEPP to upgrade bamboo crafting/industry.

Mr. Legaste- we can draw bamboo road map.

Day 2 – Feb 17

Recapitulation by Mrs. Loida S. Villa

Input 9: Appreciating Value Chain Analysis in Industry Development Planning was discussed by Mr. Rictoniel T. Reginio. (Appendix I)

Input 10: The Bamboo Industry Value Chain was presented by Mr. Richard Ishmael Arceño, Bamboo Point Person / STIDS of DTI South Cotabato. (Appendix J)

PROVINCIAL BAMBOO PLANNING / OPEN FORUM / GROUP DISCUSSIONS & OUTPUT PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Ramon Ponce De Leon facilitated the provincial bamboo planning workshop. He asked the participants to identify the problems and constraints encountered in the bamboo industry.

DISCUSSION RESPONSE Mr. Doming of CENRO Kor - We have many existing bamboo productions, all we need is a sure market.

PEMO-There is a gap in market. When you say market, it is a marketing of raw materials. We have a great supply of bamboo but lack of marketing schemes.

Tribal Asso., Tboli – We need a proper documentation and inventory of existing bamboo stands and newly planted bamboo in order for us to make a realistic project.

Inventory/data

LGU Surallah - Area to be planted, in Surallah along the riverbanks, wala nabuhi didto siguro sa flow ng tubig. Siguro sa bukid na lang namon itanom ky kung sa river bank indi kami kapabuhi.

Tutukan yong project. There should be a focal person –nurturing the planted seeds

We take the commitment of the land owners. Ginapaclaro gid ina sa adaptors, MOA/ pledge of commitment

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Aileen- lack of quality nursery for bamboo seedlings

Accredited bamboo nursery

Elmer- low participation/ attitude of farmers Those who are not committed, indi pagtagaan sang seedlings

Roger Acosta- pag institutionalize sa ini nga industry, legislative support from barangay/, municipality, magsulod na ang funding. May mga native products, wala kita sang legislation na i-prevent ang pagputol sg bamboo kay damo gamit bi ang kawayan “pusog” legislative sa cutting sa existing na punuan. Kung wala basi mag abot ang panahon na mawala.

One of the functions of the Bamboo industry council is the formulation of the guidelines. One of the key result areas of our planning is policy formulation. It will be needed para ma-institutionalize. We can ask the SP to pass an ordinance in support of the bamboo industry council.

Ang mga manguguma concern gid sila sa presyo. Tani ma-regulate ang price. Pagnakita bi na successful ang marketing sag bamboo damo masulod na investors

Price control council for bamboo

Barangay awareness on the importance of bamboo, kelangan IEC

IEC

Lack of skills training to produce creative items , such as bags, shoes, key chains

Skills training

Farrol- dapat i-train and see to it the good quality-Product development

Product development

Organizational aspect of our producers.Technical/ funding assistance

Empowerment of bamboo growers & crafters

Crafter-Jojo-BangaLack of funding support

Funding support

Lack of research center for bamboo, some other uses of bamboo, medicinal ba ang bamboo

Research studies

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Summary of Problems and Constraints Identified by the ParticipantsNO. PROBLEMS AND CONSTRAINTS ENCOUNTERED1 Lack of marketing schemes for raw materials (bamboo poles, slats, etc.)2 No database information systems on:

Bamboo inventory (newly planted and existing bamboo clumps) Potential / identified areas to be planted (not only along riparian areas)

3 Lack of accredited bamboo nurseries4 Lack of appreciation/ low participation of target beneficiaries5 Lack of enhancement and know-how on management capabilities in nurturing

of bamboo6 Poor support of local government units and other agencies (for funding

support)7 Unregulated utilization of bamboos (burning of clumps, “pusog”)8 Price stability9 Lack of advocacy on bamboo10 Lack of skills training and product development (quality, other uses) for

bamboo11 No existing organizations for bamboo growers (organizational strengthening

for bamboo crafters)12 No fund support for bamboo crafters

Mr. Ponce De Leon showed the KRA- South Cotabato Bamboo Industry/Development Plan

The participants were divided into four groups by sector based on the presented KRA of South Cotabato Bamboo Industry/Development Plan.

After a thorough discussion, Group A, B, C & D presented their Bamboo Industry/Development Plan (Appendix K)

Group A – Presentation – Resource ManagementComments / Suggestions:

1. Time Frame on planting Suggestion: May 2011-2016

-Mr. Jumilla- He commented that “Habang nagaconduct ng data gathering, umpisahan na ang nursery/planting because we cant wait . We have to consider na damo kulang, sa crops, kulang gid kaayo, kung hulaton result ng data, kulang gid. Basi magbaha na sa South Cotabato before planting”.

2. Indicate quantity on Indicators/Expected Output

3. Mr. Casiple asked the specific or detailed amount / budget for the particular activity. DTI intervention in bamboo industry. Convergence mechanism –details of budget from where to get the funds/budget. Concrete document for a fund. Indicative cost is not an existing fund.

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4. Mrs. Manlisis- suggested for adding the “Source of funds” in the column of a dev’t plan.

5. Mr. Doming- Training to be facilitated by province, para isa na lang yong pag hold nila.

6. PEMO- we will conduct the trainer’s training

Mr. Casiple suggested that the submission of budget will be a week after the conduct of the planning workshop. The body agreed on that suggestion.

Municipal/City Commitments on Establishing Nurseries

1. Marbel- 13 upland brgys. basically all brgys.2. Tampakan-all brgys3. Sto. Nino-4 barangays lang5. Surallah- all brgys.6. Lake Sebu 19 brgys.7. Tboli-8. Banga- 39. Tantangan-210.Norala-511. Polomolok-3

Mr. Ponce De Leon stressed that the municipality must be realistic to fund their respective nurseries. He said that the PEMO has a budget of Php 600,000 per year for 5 years-from bamboo alone. He further said that PEMO does not establish nursery, it is the PAGRI. The PEMO will only buy.

One of the participants asked that, “in case magkaroon ng decision ang LGU to establish nursery, pwede po ba maka-share ang PEMO kahit na cellophane”? Mr. Ponce De Leon told that they will see if PEMO has supplies. He stated that “ wala kaming nursery kaya hindi kami bumibili ng black cellophane. I’l talk to PAO regarding that”.

Group B – Presentation- Technology, Technical Skills…

NO. COMMENTS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN

Mr. Casiple-may budget ba ang munisipyo sa training on bamboo crafting

Polomolok-pag indi pumasok sa training, don na yan sa LCE

None

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Mr. Casiple-4.6M last year, dahil na-appreciate nila ang counterpart

Mr. Casiple –example, Tampakan’s budget is only 40,000, nakapangako kami for funding 250,000

Mr. Doming- nakayama requirement 2M simple machine, kung sobra-sobrana ang production, what will happen?Mr. Casiple-we are not preparing for nakayama, we are looking for a whole bamboo industry.

Polomolok, LGU – Kanina sa presentation, nandon yong inventory of crafters, gusto kong tingan kasi totoo lahat yon, sa registered, may ara pa BIR, Kelangan proteksyunan yong mga registered.

Mr. Casiple- will help the non-registered to comply with the requirements. We have to let them understand how the business should be.Will help all bamboo crafters to capture market requirement. We have to help the entire industry. Business compliance.

PEMO- what specific activities of the development of prototype?Mr. Jumilla - will have to look into na pwede ma renovate yong protech at the back and we can acquire basic facilities to be used for trainings. PEMO-New product designs must submit for cliniquing

Mr. Jojo (Crafter) - 30 designs in 1 year-individual designMr. Jumilla - we are imposing the challenge to them. If one of them can produce 1 new product per month.

PEMO – We are talking for what product?

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Mr. Casiple- when you display a prototype, there should be a continued production..

PEMO-we settled at 60

Mr. Jumilla- any bamboo products. We are encouraging them to display their products in Protech

Mr. Jumilla- showcase the product. Not only during Kawayan and Tnalak

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festivals, all festivalsMr. Jumilla- to be able to market the products, we need basic information from the producers.

Group C - Marketing

NO. COMMENTS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN

Mr. Casiple- mahal ang marketing na cost, too expensive, pila ang i-market match? Ang hirap ng market matching na activity.

Mr. Jumilla- danger of marketing a product

Group D- Policy

NO. COMMENTS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN

Mr. Casiple- wala bang generic policy na kelangan na lang i-enhance?

Halimba, nasunog, another task force ulit?

Mr. Casiple- Strengthen these laws:1. Environmental protection Law,2. Law protecting the micro entrepreneur.Mr. Casiple - ginadakop ng LTO ang may kawayan

Mr. Jumilla - I have a problem regarding the regulations concerning transport-kung i-restrict pano mo i-encourage ang tao na magtanom, na damo sia baraydan.

PEMO-I think we can talk about that in the Council.

PEMO- what do you suggest?

PEMO-ang pwede lang magdakop sa kawayan ang LGU. CENRO, DENR

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Day 3 - Feb 18Recap by Ms. Fracel Magno

Message 1: Challenging Stakeholders on Resources on Resources Mobilization and Environmental Protection By: Dr. Bighani Manipula, RTD Research of DENR XII

The bamboo industry in the Philippines is becoming lower in production due to reluctance of our bamboo growers. There are still a lot of things that we should do. Big challenge on the part of stakeholders, we should tap also the bigger market or local/ domestic market. That will be sustained particularly the issuance of EO of our President. There is a shift from traditional to non-timber products. This is where the challenge lies. We should know these stakeholders, since bamboo contributes a lot in the protection of environment. We should put the bamboo industry in the limelight again. Who are these people, the farmers, growers; lot of them owned a land. How many percent of our population are belonging to rural areas? The problem is how to mobilize these resources. There should be a complimentary action on the part of the organizations to assist the land farmers. The attitude of our farmers is to plant and see. Change the paradigm. They have to create business, create market, and challenge the private companies. Private landowners, who are just speculating, must be abandoned. How could we mobilize them? We should create export market. There are lots of gov’t agencies who are encouraged to develop bamboo industry. From the provincial gov’t level down to the municipal. Identification of potential areas. Land use plan is not yet in placed. They can also prepare project proposal and they also have budget to fund it. They can provide infra support. They need road, bridges, efficient nurseries, tissue culture laboratory; they can strengthen bamboo industry organization. I remember during the time of Zamora, he’s a congressman of Compostela Valley. He was able to put up tissue culture for banana. In cooperation of DOST, they have able to help them. The economy is very much working. The local development council, have the resources in crafting resources. That will lead to dev’t in industry. Executive Order 879 creating the PBIC. The SP- by having their own aligned policies, The DA, DENR. EO 23. The DA, DAR initiative in collaboration or sharing or resources, data base, providing technology extension work and trainings. The DENR like Sitio Acub, They are the one supplying the planting materials. That helps the economy, which generates employment. The DA provides financial assistance. WE CHALLENGE THE LINE AGENCIES like DILG, DTI in providing technology for bamboo processing. And of course, we have the state colleges and universities-they are providing extension works, Dept of Agriculture for information/education campaign. Chambers of furniture in the Philippines on handicrafts industry- linking these organizations or exchange programs, sharing expertise. Technical support, trainings, document best practices. They are promoting sales marketing. In South Cotabato, we have a lot of rural banks, local portfolio to small growers. Like, Mang Inasal, they are accepting orders for bamboo sticks. They are consuming millions of bamboo sticks. A very good market for us. They can also extend some resources in some areas. The processor is coming from Iloilo, producing in somewhere in Luzon, the processor already design a machine for a particular requirement of Mang Inasal. We have the media.

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We can challenge the media. They can advocate in terms of bamboo industry. There are some programs in radio talking in nonsense. They can introduce something different-change paradigm. Partnerships, all endeavors will end up nothing. They loosely organized. All stakeholders already involved should help alleviate poverty condition of our people. Challenging challenge. Let us work together better if not best in the future. We assure you that DENR has already done something. The DENR had initiated a project submitted to BIMP-EAGA bamboo and rattan center. Jesus Doreza wants it Mindanao-wide. I made a proposal only in dev’t of bamboo industry in Sarangani. It was submitted to Asian Foundation. The DENR is already doing it shares. I hope that other agencies will cooperate in this undertaking.

Message 2: Mrs. Flora Gabunales (Appendix L)

We have adopted a clustering approach.This approach was approved by Bamboo Industry Council. In terms of commitment of DTI, we are mandated to comply with the Executive Order signed by our governor. The signing of Kawayan festival. As part of advocacy of DTI, we have identified point person in our agency. We recognized DENR as the lead agency. With that, other agencies have also their counterpart. We have our RuMEPP where we put our bamboo industry programs. We are targeting the poor provinces. What RUMEPP did? We do provide business enterprises. We give emphasis on engineered bamboo. I thank the school board. Part of the advocacy is the e-bambu roadshows. LGU Tupi immediately provide us the data of bamboo. Dir. Frank said that we should look forward for more interventions. We will be linking to Nakayama and agencies.

We are assured of the participation of all stakeholders. In this three-day activity the different agencies showed already their commitments.

Message 3: Strengthening Economic Development through Regional ConnectivityBy: Ms. Felicidad Guerrero of NEDA XII. (Appendix M)

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Day 3 – Open ForumMembers of the Panel:

1. PD Gabunales2. Dr. Manipula3. Ms. Guerrero

Before the forum was started, Dr. Manipula stated that the DENR is conducting an inventory this year that they can share to other agencies.

NO. ISSUES AND CONCERNS / DISCUSSION RESPONSE / ACTION TAKEN

Mr. Casiple – propose a project for funding of NEDA

Kung walang pera yong industry- to lobby the plan to existing agencies for funding the PBIC, the council can endorse a resolution

NEDA- we have a book there of different sources which could access for assistance.

NEDA-provided that you have good project proposal, we have to follow the requirements of the funding agencies to access on their funds.

Dr. Manipula – In DENR, our stakeholders are being provided a livelihood project It is only on the matter of preparation. That’s a very good avenue.

NEDA-ligwasan mars riparian reforestation they used bamboo.

Mrs. Jo Gabucan of Tupi – requested for the provision of reading materials / IEC regarding bamboos for the farmers in their barangay.

DTI- we have a massive conduct of roadshows. We will be providing booklets, cd and other reading materials.

DENR- we have a division on technology transfer information in-charge of conducting training, producing and giving of leaflets. In tupi, we have a publication about the “poor bamboo”. I prepared the proposal submitted to support fund for that. We can provide training on that.

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DTI- DTI has counterpart in the roadshows, nandon na yong materials na pwedeng ibigay.

Mr. Nono of PAGRI - suggested putting up the bamboo network in agencies and the stakeholders. Bamboo information network-collaboration of agencies & stakeholders-

DTI- we have made a website www.grou.ps/southcotbamboo to guide everyone. It’s a matter of linking on this info sites.DTI-Isali sa roadshow

Mr. Sumagaysay – With the formalization of this bamboo, can you make a conservative estimate how many years from now this bamboo will be in full swing? He stated that, “ang gimelina, sa simula mabuti, but die in natural death”.

Dir. Gabunales - indi tayo nakagawa ng gimelina industry before. Isinali nating target market yong DepED. Furniture makers that will be organizing soon. Part of our fund support for furniture makers - sila gagamit ng engineered bamboo. Hindi na tayo magestablish ng---- This is not only the concern of DTI-with the help of everybody sigurado may pupuntahan. Learnings from the past. Iaayos ang direction setting. Mr. Frank Bunoan mentioned that naiiba ang strategy natin. Nagseset na tayo ng direction with enactment of executive order, the provincial governor is there, titingnan natin kung naaayon tayo sa set na direction. We’d like to see this project succeed.

Mr. Sumagaysay – This is not a question but a suggestion that NEDA could act. Iloilo magagaling na gumawa ng bamboo craft. Regional connectivity, pwede siguro makuha natin yong magagaling na craftsman na ilonggo na makakatulong din sa atin. Iba kasi yong ability nila. Gumagawa sila ng bahay na walang pako-bamboo din yong pako. Expert silang gumawa ng “amakan”. Suggestion –mag-amakan tayo kaysa drier na cement.

DTI- sinabi ni Frank Bunoan- I’l be bringing more, Kasali na sa inventory ang players, crafters…

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NEDA- How is the durability of the bamboo? What is the life span of bamboo if it will use in making furniture?

Is the technology expensive?

It depends upon the bamboo. If it is Kayawan, it will last up to 30 yrs.DTI-part of skills training when to harvest and how to treat bamboos

DTI- The equipment is very simple. This is portable or can be brought in the area to come up w/ bamboo slices.

Request for lakbay-aral DTI-benchmarking/learning mission to take a look at what happened in Abra.

NEDA- how much is the cost of the desks?Casiple mahal ang bamboo ng P12

DTI-mas strong ang bamboo kaysa sa woodDENR-cost variable- There is a lot of factors to consider. If we can establish pole, hub, the cheaper. We can lower the cost.

Casiple- The study tour “lakbay-aral” will be on April. We cannot afford to pay for everybody. Second, when we go back after the study mission, the “hub” must be established immediately.

DTI - the governor is asking about the cost. Magkano nga ba kung gagawa ng hub? CITC to share the design. Ano yong mga available na technologies. We have a lot of fabricators. It’s a matter of having a prototype.

DENR- may worry lang ako sa bamboo as a commodity. Bamboos are being propagated—the sources of materials are very very old. More than 200 yrs. We cannot say that plant is very young. Genetically, that is very very old. If that come that genes will proceed to --- stage. They will all die. The reason why some scientists worried about that. How to determine the factors that may affect the

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bamboo flowering. It should be reported if the bamboo keeps on flowering.

Production natin, macrosmatic, the same genetic age. You will notice that some clumps tinik are flowering. If you observed that particular clump is flowering, that is still alive. Please give us information. Penology of bamboo.

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