The country’s trade chief wants mining firms to develop bamboo plantations within the area of their operations to rehabilitate affected lands and provide livelihood opportunities for nearby communities.
In a text message to reporters on Thursday, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said he pitched to mining stakeholders his plan to introduce bamboo farming in mining areas. He argued this will not only rejuvenate the lands exhausted by operations, but will also provide local communities with a source of livelihood.
“Mining companies have vast tracts of land that need rehabilitation, and they have the funds—mandated allocation from their operating expenses—for rehabilitation use. Bamboo grows fast, [with] strong carbon absorption, effective for anti-soil erosion and, more importantly, has the ability to make the mined areas restore its conditions for agricultural purposes,” Lopez said.
Communities surrounding the mining operations could also benefit if firms decide to develop bamboo plantations, he added. Apart from this, Lopez said the country is in need of bamboo.
“Moreover, from the bamboo industry cluster perspective, the rehabilitation program will solve the bamboo-supply problem needed in the growing demand for bamboo-based products, from poles to panels, fiberboards, lumber, handicrafts, food, beverage, modern furnitures, clothing, fabric, paper, flooring and many more,” he said.
“Also, as part of the bamboo development plan, we need to supply the classroom tables and chairs for [the] DepEd [Department of Education], which is currently underserved due to lack of bamboo material supply,” Lopez added.
According to the trade chief, the demand for bamboo culms is at 20 million, but only 5 million is available.
“It is said that there are not enough areas that are planted with bamboo. Currently, only about 10,000 hectares are planted with bamboo, but there are about 300,000 hectares of mined areas that can be rehabilitated with bamboo,” Lopez added.
Citing President Duterte’s call for responsible mining, Lopez said bamboo farming could be “the way forward” his principal is looking for. He claimed this will serve the interest of all sides: environment, local communities and miners.
“[Environment] Secretary [Roy A.] Cimatu and I believe that presenting this mining rehabilitation plan using bamboo can meet the requirement of the President to have a clear and sustainable mining development plan and rehabilitation plan, especially for open-pit mining activities. This is a great win-win program that addresses many issues,” Lopez said.
The trade chief has recently pitched to mining stakeholders this proposal, and urged them to consider it for their rehabilitation plans. He said Cimatu is amenable to the measure.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
1 comment
Take the bamboo seedlings off the powerpoint and from the tv screens. Press releases wont grow! Lets put the seedlings on the ground!