NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
;enate
». 1145
SENATE 
S.B. No.
(Bfficp of t!)p Tl.mj
'22 AUG 15 A9 35
CT^
RECEIVED HV:
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, CREATING THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 
(BIDC), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Bamboo is important in the lives of the Filipinos for its many uses. In the 
Philippines, they are used for construction, furniture and handicraft manufacture, food, 
musical instruments, farm and fishing implements, pulp and paper, fuel for cooking 
and heating, among others. Of the 62 bamboo species, 21 are endemic or native 
Philippine bamboos.
In 2010, Executive Order No. 879 was issued creating the Philippine Bamboo 
Industry Development Council (PBIDC) to promote the Bamboo Industry Development 
Program and to provide the over-all policy and program directions of the program for 
all stakeholders. It mandates the use of 20% of bamboo for reforestation, 25% for 
the desk requirements of all public elementary and high schools in the country, 
strengthening of the bamboo industry and intensification of research on bamboo 
production and utilization.
Due to the diminishing wood supply, bamboos are now in high demand as raw 
material sources for furniture, handicraft and many products. Because of this.


bamboos are over cut by improper harvesting methods, causing serious genetic 
erosion due to unabated pressure.1
This bill aims to institutionalize the PBIDC and create its secretariat, the Bamboo 
Industry Development Center to formulate a holistic National Bamboo Industry 
Development Program which covers research, production, processing, marketing, 
consumption, capacity building, and regulation of the cultivation of bamboo and 
promote investments in the bamboo industry.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnesdy-saaght.
TCHALIAN
h30.htm
1 https://www.bioversityinternational.Org/fileadmin/bioversity/publications/Web_version/572/c


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 1145
£?enat?
I©ft'Ifr of tijp fe^rrvptnrj.’
*22 AUG 15 A 9 35
Rl'CEIVEO BV.
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, CREATING THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 
(BIDC), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Tide. -This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Bamboo Industry
2 
Development Act of 2022."
3
4 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. —The State shall provide for a self-reliant and
5 
independent economy for its people. It shall support indigenous, scientific and
6 
technological capabilities, and skills. It shall establish a program for sustainable
7 
consumption, production, propagation and promotion of bamboo as furniture,
8 
construction and design materials, food and other uses. It shall promote the bamboo
9 
industry for poverty reduction, inclusive growth, environmental conservation and
10 
protection, agricultural productivity enhancement and climate change mitigation and
11 
adaptation.


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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:
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a) Bamboo refers to a tropical or semi-tropical fast-growing grass usually
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having hollow culms and lignocellulose matrix;
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b) Bamboo Backyard Farming refers to those whose plantation and operations
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are basically in the house backyard, with the household members as workers. The
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majority of bamboo processing enterprises in the Philippines belong to this category;
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c) Bamboo Industry to a sector with very' high potential contribution in
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the socio-economic development and environmental protection of the country. The
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sector may still be classified as essentially agricultural considering that majority of its
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market and supply is essentially for agricultural requirements such as fish pens,
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banana props and other low value applications like scaffoldings, and fences;
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d) Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap shall provide specific programs and
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projects, including the timeline for the propagation, development and management,
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processing, utilization, business development, and commercialization of the Philippine
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bamboo and bamboo products. It shall contain a comprehensive national industrial
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strategy for the Philippine bamboo industry;
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e) Bamboo Processing refers to conversion of bamboo for various products and
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applications including walls, panels, trusses, handicraft, consumer products (tooth
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brush, tissues, toothpicks, and chopsticks among others) and novelty products
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(furniture, handicraft, and decors), focused on the possible use of bamboo as
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substitutes for wood for various applications (plywood, composites, pulp and paper,
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bamboo arts, and other architectural applications); and
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f) Bamboo Stand refers to an aggregate of clumps for plantation occupying a
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specific area and sufficiently uniform in composition (species), age, spacing, and
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condition as to be distinguished from the natural and/or existing bamboo stands (with
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unknown clump age). The latter stands have irregular spacing and species composition
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not necessarily uniform and the clumps are randomly and widely distributed.
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SEC. 4. Objectives. — This Act aims to make the Philippine bamboo industry
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competitive in the local and international markets while providing opportunities for
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local employment and establishing bamboo-based community enterprises by:
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a) Promoting the integrated and holistic development of the bamboo industry
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in various aspects of research, production, processing, marketing, consumption,
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capacity building, and regulation;
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b) Ensuring that the bamboo industry has sufficient supply of quality raw
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materials through the establishment and management of bamboo nurseries and
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plantations;
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c) Ensuring that relevant and accurate data on the bamboo industry are collated
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and published by the Center created under Section 7 of this Act, in cooperation with
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various government agencies, private entities and other relevant sources, to aid in
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business decisions related to the industry;
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d) Promoting investments in the bamboo industry by providing substantial and
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attractive incentives to investors;
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e) Providing skilled labor and manpower through continuous relevant capacity
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building;
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f) Ensuring the provision of locally manufactured machines with improved
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capacity, efficiency, and quality at competitive costs;
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g) Improving bamboo industry research and development to discover new
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products and technologies, and advance market access for Philippine bamboo and
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bamboo products locally and internationally;
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h) Providing access to markets of bamboo products locally and internationally
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through aggressive trade promotions; and
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i) Ensuring sustainable resources in the implementation of the bamboo industry
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development program.
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SEC. 5. Composition of the Phiiippine Bamboo Industry Deveiopment Councii.
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—The composition of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC),
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as provided for under Executive Order No. 879, is hereby amended as follows:


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a. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as Chair;
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b. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
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or his/her duly appointed representative, who has sufficient expertise on the Philippine
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bamboo industry;
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c. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or his/her duly appointed
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representative, who shall come from the Bureau of DA-Agricultural Research (DA-
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BAR);
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d. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) or his/her
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duly appointed representative, who shall come from the DOST— Forest Products
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Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI);
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e. Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) or his/her duly appointed
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representative;
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f. Executive Director of the Center;
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g. A representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government
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(DILG);
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h. One (1) representative each from bamboo farmers, bamboo manufacturers,
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16 and bamboo processors associations;
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i. Two (2) representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations involved in
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the agricultural sector; and
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j. One (1) representative from the private sector involved in the bamboo
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industry.
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The DTI secretary may designate the Undersecretary for Regional Operations
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Group (DTI-ROG) as his/her alternate and shall have the same powers as his/her
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principal and his/her acts shall be considered the acts of his/her principal.
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The representatives from the private sector, bamboo farmers, bamboo
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manufacturers, bamboo processors associations, and non-governmental associations
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shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines from the list of
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nominees submitted by the DTI Secretary. The DTI Secretary shall choose the
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nominees from the respective lists submitted by the different organizations and


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associations. They shall serve for a term of three (3) years, and may be re-appointed
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once.
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The Council shall meet quarterly and may hold special meetings whenever the
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need arises to consider urgent matters upon the call of the Chair or any of the council
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members.
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The Council shall continue to provide the overall policy and program directions
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of the bamboo industry, coordinate activities of the various government agencies and
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instrumentalities, and ensure the implementation, accomplishment, and periodic
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review of the Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap.
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The Council shall be administratively attached to the DTI.
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SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. — The Council shall have the
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following powers and functions, among others:
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a) Formulate the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap;
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b) Identify specific programs and projects in support of, and in line with the
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Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap;
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c) Identify sources of financing to expand bamboo industry development;
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d) Submit annual reports to the Office of the President, the Senate Committee
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on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, and the House of Representatives
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Committee on Trade and Industry on the status of the implementation of the Roadmap
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and the bamboo industry development in the country; and
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e) Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers and
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functions as may be necessary to carry out effectively the attainment of the purposes
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and objectives of this Act.
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SEC. 7. Bamboo Industry Development Center (BIDC). — The Bamboo Industry
27 
Development Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, shall be created to serve
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as the secretariat of the Council to be headed by an Executive Director.
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The Center shall consist of divisions for (1) research and development, (2) trade
30 
promotion and education, (3) networking and linkages, (4) internal administration.


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and such other purposes deemed necessary by the Council. The composition and
2 
staffing of the divisions shall be prepared by the Executive Director and approved by
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the Council.
4 
The organizational structure, staffing pattern and compensation schedule of
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the Center shall be drawn up in accordance with the Civil Service Commission (CSC)
6 
law, rules and regulations. Government agencies represented in the Council shall
7 
provide additional administrative and technical staff support upon request by the
8 
Council.
9 
The Center shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
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a) Promote and encourage the establishment and management of bamboo
11 
nurseries and bamboo plantations for commercialization, in coordination with DENR
12 
and DA;
13 
b) Coordinate and partner with DOST-FPRDI for continuous research and
14 
development to advance sustainable bamboo industry development practices;
15 
c) Work with the Council and coordinate with the DENR and DOST-FPRDI in
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formulating a holistic National Bamboo Industry Development Program;
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d) Work to establish and create processing facilities that would accelerate the
18 
production and commercialization of bamboo and various bamboo products;
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e) Promote the establishment and creation of bamboo farm tourism camps in
20 
coordination with the Department of Tourism;
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f) Promote the commercialization and market access of appropriate, innovative
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and viable bamboo industry development technologies and products;
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g) Coordinate and partner with other government agencies in the
24 
implementation of bamboo industry development programs and projects;
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h) Monitor and evaluate the performance of the bamboo industry, and the
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bamboo development programs and projects;
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i) Coordinate and partner with the private sector, people's organizations and
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nongovernmental organizations, and State Colleges and Universities in providing
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assistance on matters pertaining to bamboo industry development;


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j) Accept grants, donations and contributions from local and international 
donors and such similar sources of funds for the implementation of this Act, subject 
to the usual budget, accounting and auditing rules and regulations;
k) Assist the Council, in cooperation with other appropriate government 
agencies, in conducting a periodic review of the Philippine Bamboo Industry 
Development Roadmap;
l) Conduct capability-building initiatives for farmers, farm workers, processors, 
designers, and other stakeholders in the bamboo industry;
m) Gather data and create an information system related to bamboo, including 
but not limited to, plantations, population, species, workers and beneficiaries, 
investors, product demands and supplies, and costs and benefits for market research;
n) Supervise the implementation of the plans and programs of the Council;
o) Manage and administer the projects approved by the Council under this Act; 
and
p) Submit periodic reports to the Council on the progress and accomplishment 
of bamboo industry programs and projects.
SEC. 8. The Executive Director of the Center. - The Executive Director shall be 
appointed on a permanent capacity by the President of the Republic Philippines from 
the list of nominees submitted by the DTI Secretary. He/she shall be a citizen and 
resident of the Philippines and must possess executive and management experience 
of at least three (3) years and with considerable knowledge in bamboo industry 
development.
The Executive Director, in addition to his/her duties in the Center, shall have 
the following powers and functions;
a) Assist the Council in the performance of its tasks;
b) Provide technical and administrative support to the Council;
c) Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Center; and
d) Perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be 
necessary to implement this Act.


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SEC. 9. Department of Environment and Natura/ Resources (DENR) on Bamboo 
for Commercialization. — In addition to its mandate, under the Bamboo Plantation 
Development Program (BPDP), the DENR shall ensure the development and expansion 
of nurseries and plantations of bamboo for commercialization and industrial purposes, 
while taking into consideration the ecological balance in areas identified for plantation 
and propagation. It shall continue to conduct research and development activities for 
production or propagation of bamboo.
SEC. 10. Department of Science and Technology for Research and Development 
— The DOST-FPRDI shall be the main research and development arm for bamboo 
utilization of the Council. It shall work closely in coordination with the Center and other 
government agencies such as the DA-BAR to innovate and advance sustainable 
bamboo industry development practices.
SEC. 11. Roie of the Local Government Units. — Local Government Units in 
cooperation with the DENR, DTI and the DOST-FPRDI, and in consultation with DA 
and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) when necessary, shall 
regularly conduct surveys of existing bamboo stands, nurseries and plantations in their 
respective localities, and shall strengthen the local bamboo industry by promoting 
bamboo enterprises in their respective localities.
SEC. 12. Provision of Incentives to Investors in Nursery and Plantation 
Development and Bamboo Enterprises. — The following incentives shall be provided 
to investors in plantation development and bamboo processing factories:
a) Nursery and plantation owners shall be exempt from the payment of 
government share for the use of public lands for commercial bamboo plantation for 
the first ten (10) years or when the plantation owner starts to harvest the nursery or 
plantation subject to existing tenurial agreement with concerned government 
agencies;


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b) Plantation owners in public lands shall be exempt from the payment of forest
2 
charges that may be imposed by national government and other fees or taxes imposed
3 
by local government units;
4 
c) Bamboo plantations shall be accepted as among the collaterals for loans in
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government-owned or controlled banks, subject to Its rules and regulations;
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d) Bamboo plantation developers and bamboo processors shall be given priority
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to access credit assistance and guarantee schemes being granted by government-
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owned, controlled and/ or supported financial institutions;
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e) Bamboo plantations shall not require a cutting permit for harvesting nor shall
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its produce need a transport permit for transporting: Provided, That such plantation
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is registered with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)
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oftheDENR;
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f) Bamboo plantations and plantation development equipment shall be covered
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by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC);
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g) For tenured bamboo plantation owners, upon the premature termination of
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the tenurial agreement with no fault of the holder, all capital improvements,
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depreciable permanent and semi-permanent improvements such as roads, buildings,
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nurseries including the planted and standing bamboo and other intercrops, introduced
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and retained in the area, shall be evaluated and the holder shall be entitled to a fair
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compensation thereof, the amount of which shall be mutually agreed upon by both
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the DENR and the tenure-holder and in case of disagreement between them, by
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arbitration through a mutually acceptable and impartial third party adjudicator through
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the DENR; and
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h) The export of bamboo poles shall be regulated by the Council while other
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bamboo products, may be exported without restrictions in volume.
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SEC. 13. Appropriations. — The sum of One Hundred Million Pesos
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(P100,000,000.00) to be sourced from the unexpended contingency fund of the Office
29 
of the President, the existing budget for bamboo Industry development under the DTI,
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the existing budget allocation for DENR-FPRID's bamboo related research and


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development, and the existing budget allocation for DENR's BPDP, are hereby 
appropriated for the initial budgetary requirements of the Center. Thereafter, such 
amount as may be necessary for the continuous operation of the Center shall be 
included in the annual GAA. The budgetary requirements of cooperating agencies shall 
be incorporated in their respective annual budgets.
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of thus Act, the DTI, in consultation with other concerned government 
agencies, the academe, the private sector, and non-government organizations, shall 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. —If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions hereof not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.
SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 17. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
10