I.

Objectives

 To provide a leveled discussion amongst members of the break out session

meeting;
 Know the existing programs and projects regarding policy and advocacy
across concerned government agencies;
 Discuss issues and challenges that the bamboo industry currently faces, as
well as the current track and direction of the policies related to the bamboo
industry;
 Create an action plan that would help solution the discussed projects and
solutions.

II. Highlights

III. Discussion of issues:

Moderator and Emcee: Mr. Jani Ebora

Department of Environment and Natural Resources
ERDB

Group Expectation: To thoroughly understand and discuss the current state of direction of
the policies related tom the bamboo industry.

The Group decided to vote Mr. Erickson of Philippine Bamboo Foundation to present
their plan of action.

Topic Presentation:

SHARED SERVICE FACILITIES

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Ms. Leonor B. Paningbatan

Department of Trade and Industry
Representative, Region 3

Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by
providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, accessories and other auxiliary
items, skills and knowledge under a shared system.

Objectives:

 Enable MSMEs to increase their productivity

 Ms. Leonor: We try to improve the competitiveness of the MSMEs in the
market, so that the members can also increase their productivity.

 Accelerate MSME competitiveness by giving them access to energy efficient

technologies and more sophisticated equipment

Ms. Leonor: To help them acquire and provide access to technology

innovation to be able to improve their production capacity to conform to
standards.

 Encourage the graduation of MSMEs to the next level where they could tap a
better and wider market share and be integrated in the global supply chain

Ms. Leonor: In line with this, we seek the products to more market oriented
and market competitive, increase in market shares and sales to be able to
also increase employment

 Take into account convergence where government resources are pooled and
integrated

Ms. Leonor: We try the “convergence approach where government resources

are poled together to improve MSMEs.

 Address the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry
clusters

Ms. Leonor: We aim to bridge processing and production of products to be

able to help our members in delivering their services. We also try to provide
machineries to our starting members to help them increase their profit
together with their sales in order for them to be able to expand in the future.

Presentation of Equipment (pictures in the power point presentation)

Ms. Leonor: The pictures of equipment that were shown can be readily found in the bamboo
producing communities in Region 3.

Presentation of Products Produces by different SSFs:

 CAR - Gifts, Decors, and Houseware bamboo products, Bamboo slats,

Charcoal briquettes
 Region 1 - Souvenir items, Sala Set, Beds, Functional/Decorative products,
Baskets, Fruit trays, Winnowers, Treated poles, Slats, Tadtad, Sawali, E-
Bamboo products, Bamboo Furniture, Bamboo Novelty Items, Floor Tiles,
 Office Tables, Bamboo Plates, Fashion bags, Placemats, Bamboo Speakers,
Bamboo Tiles, Bamboo Plaque, Trophies, Medals, Charcoal Briquette and
other Novelty Items made of Bamboo
 Region 2 - Bamboo handicrafts & novelty items, Bamboo furniture, Weaved
baskets, Decorative Items, Butaca, Divider, TV rack, Miniature sala sets,
Display items, other handcrafted products out of bamboo, Lamps, Bamboo
sticks, Toothpicks, GDH products
 Region 3 - Bamboo furniture craft, Decorative crafts, Souvenir items, Bamboo
slats, Engineered bamboo products like desks, other allied bamboo products,
Bamboo planks, Handicrafts, Bamboo desks, Bamboo ceilings, BBQ sticks
 Region 4-A - Bamboo Frame, Wine Holder, Ash Tray, Lamp Shed, Pen Holder ,
Decors, Bamboo furniture, Arm- chairs, Handicrafts, Bamboo Slats, Bamboo
Furniture, Cages for chicken and cock fighter chicken, Bamboo Crafts and
Ancilllary Components (furniture, baskets, housing components, gift decors
and landscaping components), Laminated bamboo tiles, Multi-purpose racks,
Lampshades, Wooden pallets, Doors, Jambs, E-Bamboo Planks, TNG and Tiles
 Region 5 - Bamboo furniture, fixtures and novelties
 Region 6 - Laminated bamboo household and office crafts, DepEd chairs, kiln
dried bamboo slats/ kiln drying services
 Region 7 - Bamboo slats, Bamboo Furniture and fixtures, Panel Boards,
Bamboo Components, Huts (Bahay Kubo),Bamboo based souvenir items
 Region 9 - Bamboo slats
 Region 10 - Bamboo slats, Engineered Bamboo (Tables , Chairs, Planks),
Bamboo pole, Semi-finished laminated board, Bamboo furniture, Amakan
sheets, Carbonized sticks, Laminated bamboo board, Laminated bamboo
lumber, Floor (panels/tiles), Materials for modular E-bamboo house, Shelves,
Doors
 Region 11 - Bamboo Sticks, E-Bamboo for school desks, Bamboo furniture
and fixtures, Driftwood furniture & novelties, Frames
 Region 12 - Bamboo Furnitures (sala sets), Beds, Bamboo Purok, Bamboo
Bahay Kubo, Sala Sets, Dining Sets, Open Cabinet, Bahay Kubo/Nipa Hut,
Bamboo Sawali (partition)
 Region 13 - Bamboo planks for furniture and school chairs, Arm Chairs,
Desks, Stackable Arm Chairs, Doors, Windows, Floor Planks, Trusses, Tiles,
Panels, Sawali Board, Lumber, Tegula, Bamboo slats

Ms. Leonor: All these products presented uses the SSF facilities prepared by DTI. All of them are
at some point considered to be members of MSMEs in their areas. They effectively utilize the
SSF facilities through a scheduled plan. Also, we try to engage them to be more innovative in
their products to be able to increase marketability.
Presentation of Bottom Line Accomplishments:

Regio No. of No. of Income Sales

n Beneficiarie SMEs
s assiste Before SSF After SSF Before SSF After SSF
d
CAR No data No No data No data No data No data
data
Regio 332 14 No data No data 1,158,700/mo 3,219,400/mo
n1 . .
Regio No data 132 No data No data 16,250 1,281,311.67
n2
Regio 430 9 10,000 172,927.60 35,467 290,367
n3
Regio No data No No data No data No data No data
n 4-A data
Regio 354 129 119,700/mo 225,114/mo 386,200/mo. 678,379/mo.
n5 . .
Regio 7 1 No data No data 40,000 303,598
n6
Regio 852 15 22,000/mo. 36,000/mo. 488,333/mo. 737,682/mo.
n7
Regio No data No No data No data No data No data
n9 data
Regio 775 18 310,153.78 375,553.78 8,071,474.55 10,980,624.5
n 10 5
Regio No data No No data No data No data No data
n 11 data
Regio No data No No data No data No data No data
n 12 data
Regio No data No No data No data No data No data
n 13 data
Total 2,450 318 461,853.78 809,595.38 10,196,424.5 17,491,362.2
5 2

Ms. Leonor: We have achieved the following accomplishments. In addition to that we also
achieved the following:

 2012 to present: 2,050 beneficiaries;

 38 small and medium enterprise beneficiaries;
  achieved impacts on sales and income before and after the establishments of
SSF;
 SSF made significant impacts to the lives of our members;
 Additional funds will still be allocated to the project next year
 More projects to establish more SSF to help more small and medium
enterprises develop

POLICY ON BAMBOO

For. Ricardo Calderon CESO III

Director
Forest Management Bureau

Mr. Tom Cabigting

DENR
Forest Management Bureau

Mr. Tom: Forest Management Bureau is a staff bureau of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources. It works, study, research and look for possible policies that can possible
account for policy recommendations that would help develop the concerned industry. In this
case, we try to develop and regulate the bamboo industry.

Definitions for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) – all biological materials ad derivatives other
than timber, which are extracted from forests for human use. (Philippine Official Reference for
Forest-Related Terms and Definitions)

Mr. Tom: There is a shift from cutting and planting trees, that us why Bamboo is considered as
NTFP. Human use, determines that it is also concerned in biodiversity and community. Bamboo
is a non-timber forest product with equal evaluation with heavy wood. We also use Forest
Products as a collective term (also from the Philippine Official Reference)

PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT - Executive Order No. 879, s. 2010 encouraged the use of bamboo
as one of the planting materials for reforestation programs of the DENR. Under the National
Greening Program, bamboo was included as one of commodities in its road map.

Mr. Tom: E. O. 879 requires 20% of planting materials are bamboo. It also required the
incorporation of Bamboo to be one of the main components in the road mad of the National
Greening Program of 2011 to 2028.

Mr. Tom: The DENR aims to increase the minimum requirement of 20% of planting bamboos.
Consequently, DENR promotes area management to see whether or not Bamboo can be
planted. Area management is viable because it will help the community in what to do/plant in
order to avoid mismatch and under utilization of the land and bamboo.

HARVESTING of NTFP

Policy Subject Activity Approving

Authority
Presidential Revised Forestry Cutting/Harvesting/Collecting of Regional
Decree No. 705 Code of the NTFP within Forestlands Director
Philippines (DAO 2016-
07)
Cutting/Harvesting/Collecting of No permits
NTFP within A&D Lands required

Mr. Tom: Bamboo are very efficient because bamboo can regrow, that is why we try to regulate
the harvesting of bamboos. We issue harvesting permits to bamboos that are to be harvested in
Public Lands, we need to this to be able to regulate harvesting of bamboos, because harvesting
might be abused by certain individuals or bigger enterprises; this is also in line of protecting and
preserving our forest ground. With regard to private lands, owners need not to secure
harvesting permits.

TRANSPORT of NTFP

Policy Subject Provision

DENR Administrative Order
No. 1994-07
Revised Guidelines
Governing the Issuance of
Certificate of Origin for Logs,
Timber, Lumber & Non-
Timber Forest Products
Sec. 4.Types of COFs to
Accompany
Transport/Shipment of
Forest Products. – 4.3. For
non-timber forest products –
the original Certificate of
Non-Timber Forest Products
Origin (CNTFPO) together
with the delivery receipt.
Sec. 10. Exemptions – 10.5.
Transport of
logs/timber/lumber/other
forest products derived from
planted trees or non-wood
forest products inside private
lands, provided accompanied
 by a Certificate of
Verification issued by a DENR
local official at the CENRO
level.

Mr. Tom:
- Any of the aforementioned forest products being transported or shipped from the
effectivity of this Order without the said corresponding COF fully and properly
accomplished as herein required shall be presumed as coming from illegal sources and
as such, shall be subject to confiscation and disposition in accordance with Executive
Order No. 277 and other applicable laws and implementing regulations.
- The COF shall be issued on a per shipment/transport basis and shall be valid for a
period not exceeding fifteen (15) days (including Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays) from
the date of issuance or after unloading or delivery of the shipment at the point of
destination, whichever comes first.
- Certificate of Verification – refers to the document issued be DENR local official at the
CENRO level to show that the logs/timber, lumber, or any wood or non-wood forest
products come from private lands indicating therein the quantity, volume, type of forest
products and destination/consignee of the commodities.
- Various government agencies seek DENR to provide solution to behavioral corruption or
“kotong”, that is often brought up by the concerned constituents.

FOREST CHARGES on NTFP

Policy Subject Bamboo Forest

(per Charges
piece) (Php)
DENR Administrative Rates of Forest Charges Pursuant to Kawayan 6.00
Order No. 1999-15 Republic Act No. 7161 (R.A. No. 7161) tinik/
and Based on the FOB Market Price of kawayan
Forest Products. kiling
Bayog 3.00
Boho/Bolo 2.00
Other 1.50
Species of
Erect
Bamboo
All 0.50
Climbing
Bamboos
Mr. Tom: Forest charges are only applicable to naturally growing non timber products
harvested from public lands (expressly identified fees). Fees only generate small revenues.

DEREGULATION of NTFP in Private Lands

■ On September 29, 2016 the Forest Management Bureau endorsed to the Secretary a
draft Administrative Order on deregulation of Non-Timber Forest Products in Private
Lands.
– in line with the policy of the Government on deregulation
– Ensure continuous & immediate supply of raw materials to support SMEs using
NTFPs in private lands
■ FMB recommended that transport of NTFP harvested, gathered or collected in private
lands shall no longer require any certification from the DENR.

Mr. Tom: FMB proposed deregulation of NTFP in private lands. We want to streamline our
government services without sacrificing the quality of service. We will still give out permits, but
we will make sure to minimize it. Private land owners don’t have get certification from the
DENR. NTFP are not void of regulation, in order to avoid poaching of bamboos.

Mr. Tom: FMB started to culminate policy studies regarding NTFP. We aim to have a strict
bamboo policy, just like the Ratan industry. We will focus on the proper utilization,
transportation and so on. We believe that there is a clamor to create a separate classification
for the bamboo industry.

MARKETING OF BAMBOO AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS

Ms. Leonor Diokno-Abella – Not present.

Challenges in Bamboo Advocacy

Mr. Edgardo C. Manda

President Philippine Bamboo Foundation

Mr. Ed: PBF was founded in 1992 and was given funding in 1998. Bamboo was not given mush
of prioritization before. We also initiated to introduce that bamboo is best in cleaning
watersheds. In our experience with government, we saw that it had slow processes that
resulted to slow improvement, minute improvement towards the development of this industry.
We should focus more in this industry to be able to join the countries that has huge industries.
This industry has a potential but it has not been seen by the most of us. We need to give
highlight so that we can focus in improving this sector.
Mr. Ed: My presentation consists of our experiences as a non-government organization,
including my personal experiences as well. As the president of this organization, hindi naging
madali ang pag-usad ng aming mga proyekto, dahil kulang sa tulong na nagmumula sa
gobyerno. You can see in my presentation the usual problems that we encounter.

A. Culture – culture has misleading myths

Mr. Ed: Kung saan na sa iba’t ibang probinsiya na aming napuntahan ay may kasabihan
sila sa iba tungkol sa kawayan. Kagaya sa Batangas, ibig sabihin daw kapag nagtanim ka
ng kawayan, eh kasi gusto mo patayin yung kaaway mo. Hindi kami pinansin ng mga
farmers doon dahil sa ganitong kaalaman nila. Mahirap naman ng makipag diskusyon,
kasi iyon na ang alam nila, wala kami sa tamang posisyon para ito ay baguhin, unless
magkakaroon ng government intervention.

B. Education – poor education, little follow-up, no money/funding, no land to plant on

 Lack of education on bamboo as commodity

Mr. Ed: Farmers have little economic knowledge with regard to the
economical benefits of bamboo. Hindi nila alam na pwede silang kumita ng
malaki sa pagtatanim nito. Hindi nila ito pinapansin na pangunahing
produkto. Nag-iikot kami sa mga probinsiya, bisita ditto, bisita doon, pero sa
una papansinin kami ng mga farmers, pero pagkatapos noon wala na. Ang
alam nila kapag kinausap naming sila may dala kaming pera, para tumulong
sakanila. Eh wala kaming dalang pera, so pagtapos naming makipag-usap
hindi na nila kami pinansin kasi wala rin naman nga silang puhunan. In this
scenario, we can see that wholistic approach is what is needed by the
farmers. Our organization is trying to shift from gunshot approach to a more
inclusive one.

 Lack of education on bamboo for environmental protection and climate

change mitigation

Mr. Ed: Little environmental protection (CSRs should be sustainable) – CSRs

to be livelihood inclusive.

C. Funding and Support

 No support fund or subsidy for farmers for capacity building

 Restrictive loan requirements

Mr. Ed: Farmers have no funds and receive little to no support from the local
government. In my field experience, there is support for the programs to
 continue, they usually start the projects but lacks support afterward. If farmers
were to avail of funds through loans, they will be buried in tons of paper works.
Kailangan ng simple at mabilis na proseso para maka-loan ang mga farmers, kasi
ano nga ba naman ang alam nila sa pag-ayos ng mga papel? Kapag hindi nila
alam kung paano, tatamrin na sila at hindi na nila itutuloy pa.

D. Policies and government interventions

 Bureaucratic limitations because of the official classification of bamboo as

grass or minor forest product
 Restrictive local ordinances
 Restrictive national policies
 Lack of government intervention/support
 Lack of inter-agency convergence
 Lack of commercial bamboo plantation for sustainable supply of raw
materials

Mr. Ed: DA has no recognition of bamboo as a high value crop, meaning that it
should be recognized in order for the industry to grow. Restrictive local and
national policies, nagsisimula sa ibaba ang problema palagi. Minsan ang ganda
ganda ng usapan sa itass pero iba ang nangyayari sa ibaba, iba na pala palakad.
Unang una rito, yung kotong na sinisingil sa mga producers sa mga check point.
Nakakawalang gana iyon para sa mga producers kasi dapat mura lang ang pag
produce, pero may kotong, kaya mahal na nila nabebenta yung mga produkto
nila. Also, there is a problem in the continuity of programs, depending on the
assigned official. Minsan, depende kasi sakanila kung saan sila naka-focus. Kung
hindi sila naka-focus, kung hindi sila naka-focus sa kawayan, hindi na
mabibigyang pansin ang industriyang ito. Iba-iba rin ang proyekto na mayroon
sila.

E. No focused and harmonized programs on bamboo research, development and

technology application

Mr. Ed: We do have limited research on this matter, and if we do, we have limited
access. We cannot fully share the information to other people. Kailangan natinng
additional funds to create more researches and resources, more educated and relevant
literature regarding will help develop the bamboo industry. ERDB, PCAARRD, SUCs
should share their research and developed technology regarding this.
IV. Discussion of Recommendations

OPEN FORUM ON POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Mr. Ed Manda: Promoting Area Management to be able to be self sustaining as

suggested by of DENR Secretary should be able to help us build bamboo harvesting
communities. First, we can start as little communities until we let it grow to be a
plantation. We should start bamboo plantation in Fort Magsaysay as a form of
rehabilitation for the rehab there. Bamboo intervention for drug rehabilitation will
be definitely helpful.

Director Diaz: Mr. Manda, are we exporting bamboo products? Any specific policies?

Mr. Manda: Yes, we do import, a lot of which is coming from Indonesia, as you can
see, Indonesia is one of the top producing bamboo industry, so why can’t we do it in
our country? Halos same geographical composition lang naman, plus we have good
researches that needs to be disseminated.

Mr. Tom: We have no specific importation policies regarding bamboo. We follow the
standard importation policy.

Ching Caballero: How can we invite those who are involved in carbon sequestration?
This could be a sunrise industry that could be the environment, we have to look at
this possibility also.

Mr. Manda: Carbon sequestration in Baguio to reduce air pollution is being done by
the pine trees there, however, there is a depletion of such trees. To aid this
problem, bamboos can be planted in exchange of pine trees. Bamboo have a faster
growing rate than other plants. Carbon neutral projects such as encouraging alcohol
distillery can help control carbon effects.

Mr. Jani: DENR has a research that can address carbon sequestration. Still on going.

Boots Marquez: importation is not clear. What is our policy in exportation? Also, I do
see a huge problem on exploitation of bamboo products, what can we do to solution
this? Are there any studies that concerns bamboo and its biomass component? Who
is the head of the bamboo industry? If we cannot identify who has the clear
mandate of such will only lead to unclear ways of improving this industry. What can
be the unifiying factor to ensure smooth chain of direction in terms of training?

Mr. Tom: In exporting, we follow E. O. 1016, as much as possible we try to regulate

bamboo exportation. But there are no specific laws concerning this, unlike the rattan
industry. With regard to biomass, there are no specific studies yet, but believe that
there are on going researches regarding this matter.
Dir. Diaz: In terms of Accuracy, how technical is the House Bill presented by our good
Congressman?

Representative of Congressman: We can give you a copy later, however we are still
in the process of improving the house bill. We believe that this caucus will help us
improve the bill.

Tess Viste: Private lands, does this include titled lands? How are the bamboos inside
protected areas are regulated? Or utilized? The ones that fall in multiple used
zones? How about DA lands?

Mr. Tom: Yes, titled lands are included. We advice private land owners to have their
land titled. We give out certifications and permits to those who plan to utilize the
bamboos inside private lands. Or they can obtain partnership with their respective
local government units and to us kung national yung land. There should be
convergence form different government agencies or a single authority.

Ching: we still in the process of enhancing the house bill. In the case that it has
something to do with the area the DA is holding, their main is concern is irrigated
and non irrigated lands. Agencies need to have a clear mandate to stop confusion to
be able to look at it in its entirety. We should have a specific agency/identity of the
mother agency to be able to fully operate the industry. This is what we were trying
to champion in the bill.

Chiki Veneracion: My organization and family is one of the first exporters of bamboo
torch in 1970, however this industry dwindled a bit through the course of time. We
have to strengthen client relationship and linkages. There should be a champion in
the industry and a roadmap should be form for the purpose of being consistent. All
agencies should make a resolve as what they can do about this. The advocacy must
be from the government and private sector. All should be consolidated to be able to
concentrate the funds. We should capitalize more because there is a need of
bamboo in the market. An agency should push for it, bawal ang tamarin, kasi we
could as much as other bamboo producing countries.

Aneth: Since government is the biggest land owner, how to do you take part in
government land? What can we do if a private investor is willing to set up a bamboo
zone?

Bernard: We have the same concern but our proposal was stopped almost three
years ago, what can we do about this?

Mr. Tom: We will definitely look into this matter, and we’ll try to regulate this so we
can have our lands utilized.
 Mr. Jani: What is your experiences with SSF?

Ms. Judith: SSF is managed by cooperatives, LGUs, NGOs. Any SME within the area
can avail of the services. Particularly, machines are designed to process bamboo to
be products. People are allowed to fabricate products inside SSFs. To support this
facility, they are encouraged to help in product development. However, there are
limited supply of materials due to high costs of products.

V. Discussion of Solutions

Culture – education and training

 Partnership with DENR, DA to help in educating farmers – promotion of extension
workers
Education – check picture (include propagules)
Funding support
 Intervention from government
 The need of mentoring
Policies and government interventions
 People Support Fund
 Intervention of LGU
 Give importance to lectures and seminars
 Amend supersede tedious policies

***** Establishment of a Focal Agency on Bamboo Industry development

Research and development

 Provide flexible policies