By PR | 02:28 PM September 26, 2023
Bamboo growing received a symbolic boost with the planting of iron bamboo propagules in observance of World Bamboo Day.
Propagules were planted at the Bayluko Hills and Timber area of Garcia-Hernandez town last Sept 23.
This activity was the launch of a series of bamboo growing activities in Bohol as part of Executive Order No. 879 series of 2010, creating the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), and Executive Order No. 39 Series of 2022 declaring September as the Philippine Bamboo Month.
It was in line with a multi-stakeholder effort to promote bamboo as a significant material for local industries in creating structures, furniture, and handicrafts.
Bamboo also has a critical role in environmental protection, with its ability to help restore denuded land areas due to its wide root system preventing soil erosion, rapid growth, and its capacity to sequester two tons of carbon dioxide from the air in 7 years.
The activity kicked off at 5 am with various national government agencies and provincial government departments.
Local government units from Bohol and Cebu non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and corporations participating in the bamboo planting in the two area sites of Bayluko Hills and Timberland.
A ceremonial planting was conducted at the top of Bayluko hills led by Garcia-Hernandez Mayor Jess Baja, together with his first lady Mau Baja, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) head Paquito Meliquor Jr., Asturias, Cebu Mayor Dana Andrew Dumdum, Tuburan, Cebu Municipal Mayor
Democrito Diamante, DENR- Bohol Forester Ariel Rica, Dr. Gracia Farado, Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center 7 (ATI-RTC) director, and Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay, who represented Gov. Aris Aumentado at the event.
“With this event, we want to emphasize the potential of bamboo planting in providing not just improving the environment, but also giving economic opportunities for Boholanos through bamboo-based livelihoods,” Meliquor said during the ceremonial planting.
The ceremonies moved to the One GaHer Freedom Park and Garcia Hernandez after the bamboo growing launch for the program proper with the Provincial Councilors League, League of Municipalities of the Philippines Bohol and Cebu, and other guests including major sponsors from the Philippine Mining Services Corporation, Bohol Limestone Corporation, HAMIDA Bamboo, the Regenesis Project, Bohol Small Scale Mining Association, JCI Bohol and Cebu, DENR, BLGU Candanas, Jetti Petroleum, JB Rock, and various participating agencies and groups.
In preparation for the pilot Bohol World Bamboo Day, Aumentado issued Executive Order No. 15 series of 2023, creating a technical working committee to work on the event.
BBDIC chose Garcia-Hernandez as host of the event and worked closely with the LGU and the provincial government for on-ground preparations, such as site identification, area clearing, hole digging, hauling of seedlings, and other logistical matters.
Baja said he is honored that his LGU was chosen as the pilot site for the inaugural event, promising more support towards ecologically sustainable activities in Bohol.
The provincial government provided 3,800 seedlings through the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office, BLC with 2,200 bamboo propagules, and 6000 seedlings from PMSC.
More planting will take place in the coming months before the year ends as BBDIC aims to make this a recurring event for Boholanos to participate in efforts to promote environmental sustainability and awareness of the significance of bamboo in Bohol’s ecosystem. (PIMO/GMC)
