Bamboo to reforest 7 Baguio watersheds

AGGIE UPDATES
Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Local officials and environmentalists are now working out the mass production of bamboo which will be used to reforest the deteriorating condition of the 7 watersheds to help mitigate the occurrence of landslides and soil erosions that pose a serious threat to life and property.

Bishop CarlitoCenzon of the Diocese of Baguio and head of the Baguio-Benguet Bamboo Council said mass propagation of bamboo seedlings is now being undertaken in the St. Francis seminary nursery in order to produce at least 100,000 seedlings which will be used to reforest identified critical areas in watersheds around the city in the coming months.

“We have to work together to protect our remaining watersheds for the benefit of our present and future generations. Our initial studies show that bamboo is the most appropriate material to be used in bringing back the greenery of our denuded mountains,” Cenzon told the Manila Standard, noting that dozens of foresters are now being trained in their nursery to help expand the propagation of the grass.

For his part, Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara said he is supporting the mass propagation of bamboo in a nursery in Camp 8 barangay in order to ensure the availability of sufficient bamboo species that will be planted in the different watersheds to help prevent the occurrence of landslides and soil erosions, especially during heavy rains and typhoons.

According to Vergara, the watersheds that need immediate rehabilitation include the Busol watershed, Forbes Park, John Hay, Camp 8, Buyog, Crystal Cave and Sto. Tomas watersheds.

Earlier, Vergara earmarked P2 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) last year to be used for the mass propagation of the right kind of bamboo specie that will thrive in the city and to be used in efforts to drastically regreen the denuded portions of the seven watersheds in the city.

The lawmaker lauded the Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Inc. (PBF) under the leadership of Edgardo Manda for providing experts to train local foresters on how to mass propagate and plant bamboo, particularly the phyllostachysaurea specie, so that the reforestation material will serve its purpose.

Manda claimed the phyllostachysaurea variety thrives well in the highlands and could grow within 7 months and could be utilized for other purposes in 3 years.

“Aside from its significant contribution to disaster risk reduction, the bamboo also serves as a source of food for the villagers through its shoots and labong. Lumber could also be made out of bamboo,” Manda stressed, citing that bamboo is described as the “grass of hope.”

Moreover, the PBFI official explained bamboo has a higher carbon sequestration compared to ordinary tress, thus, its mass propagation will help reduce air pollution in the Summer Capital and maintain its pine-scented air.

One of the programs being undertaken by the PBFI in the city is to convince local residents with open spaces within their properties to plant bamboo and when they grow, the foundation will be buying the bamboo poles at reasonable prices which means added income to the people plus their contribution in preventing landslides and soil erosions in their places.