DENR seeks studies on bamboo’s use
FINALLY going back to the basics, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Secretary Lito Atienza is into re-thinking the bamboo as a miracle solution to environmental degradation, climate change and lack of crafts material.
Also called the miracle grass, the bamboo has been a major indigenous construction material and is now a favorite native accent in home interiors, not to mention its countless use in handicrafts.
Now seeing the potential of the grass and its market viability, the environment agency asks for more research on other possible uses of bamboo to help expand market potential of this plant.
“Let’s really study bamboo — it’s among the strongest and most resilient plants on earth,” Atienza said during the opening of the three-day National Bamboo Development Forum which Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and its partners are holding at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.
LLDA aims to generate from the forum-updated data on worldwide bamboo resources, industries and markets to get inputs for a national development program for this grass.
Atienza noted bamboo’s characteristics make it an ideal material for construction and watershed rehabilitation including addressing soil erosion.
Bamboo is also eaten as food, made into furniture and handicraft while its extract might be used to cure cough, he continued.
“In China, I even saw clothes made from bamboo,” he recalled.
Atienza also believes the country must hike research on bamboo as this grass thrives nationwide.
“The Philippines is among the few countries where bamboo is adapted to,” he noted.
To help promote studies on bamboo, Atienza said DENR can extend technical assistance to researchers.
“Bamboo can be among major solutions to today’s problems like climate change and environmental degradation,” he said. (PNA/PIA)
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