Cosalan allots P2.25 M for bamboo development

By Joseph B. Zambrano

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- Bamboo, once regarded as the poor man’s timber, has now gained popularity with its various usage for reforestation of denuded mountains, for livelihood, use for furniture and even for food.

According to Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, bamboo is stronger than steel in tension, stronger than concrete in compression and more stable than red oak.

“We are all familiar with bamboo. But not many of us know the peculiarities of bamboo. Studies also found that bamboo can help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change,” Cosalan said.

Moreover, it is a nutritious food, bamboo shoots are low in saturated fat and have very low cholesterol, good source of dietary fiber, protein, and a very good source of vitamins, he said.

In support to the propagation of bamboo, Cosalan bared that he has allocated an amount of P2.25 million for this year for bamboo development project which includes nurseries and for next around P2 million.

“I am asking the 13 municipalities of Benguet to apportion in their respective area a one hectare for bamboo forest,” he said.

“We should also plant bamboo along the Agno river for the to protect the water source for Ambuclao and Binga Dams,” Cosalan urged.

The Philippines has only about 52,000 hectares of land planted to bamboos today with hardly any replanting, according to the Philippine Bamboo Foundation (PBF).

During the last four years, the PBF has been rallying many towns and provinces nationwide to put up commercial bamboo forests or big bamboo plantations.

“The PBF headed by Edgardo Manda is helping us with our bamboo project and assured support for financial and technical help,” Cosalan said.

We are encouraging organized farmers' groups and agro-industrial firms to invest in the commercial farm production of bamboos, Cosalan added.