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RECEIVED
DATE 30 JUN 2025 5

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 387

Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba

AN ACT
MAINSTREAMING THE USE OF BAMBOO AS A SUSTAINABLE
MATERIAL FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed bill seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory
framework for the integration of bamboo as a sustainable material for the
built environment in the Philippines. Recognizing the critical role of the built
environment in addressing contemporary challenges related to
environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable
development, this legislation is designed to promote the responsible use of
bamboo as a structural material in construction while advancing key
aspects of sustainability.

To facilitate the responsible use of bamboo in construction, this bill
tasks relevant agencies and stakeholders with developing the Bamboo
Structural Code (BSC). This code will provide essential guidelines,
standards, and best practices for the safe and sustainable use of bamboo in
building design and construction.

Moreover, the proposed legislation places a strong emphasis on
promoting bamboo as a sustainable building material, aligning with

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sustainable consumption and production practices. It encourages public
awareness campaigns, educational programs, and incentives for bamboo
cultivation. Additionally, it calls for the integration of bamboo-related
education into higher education curricula and continuing professional
education for architects, interior designers, and engineers, fostering a

culture of sustainability within the construction industry.

In summary, this bill reflects a commitment to environmental
sustainability, economic development, and social well-being. By promoting
bamboo as a sustainable building material and establishing the necessary
regulatory framework, it seeks to contribute significantly to the Philippines’
Pursuit of a balanced and healthful ecology, in harmony with nature, while
advancing key aspects of sustainability on both local and global scales.

It is also essential to underscore that this bill was already deliberated
upon by relevant government agencies and civil society groups during the
19th Congress, was approved by the House of Representatives, and was
transmitted and received by the Senate of the Philippines.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate consideration and approval
of this bill is earnestly sought.

JOSE MANWEL F. ALBA

Representative, 1* District, Bukidnon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

ENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

157

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba

AN ACT
MAINSTREAMING THE USE OF BAMBOO AS A _ SUSTAINABLE
MATERIAL FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Bamboo

for a Sustainable Built Environment Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State
to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful

ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

It is likewise the policy of the State to promote inclusive and sustainable
economic growth and productive employment; make human settlements
safe, resilient and sustainable; protect, restore and promote sustainable use
of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat
desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss;

accelerate climate action and strengthen disaster resilience.


In pursuance of this policy, the State shall encourage the propagation and
use of bamboo for a sustainable built environment.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act,

(a) Bamboo refers to any species within the subfamily
Bambusoideae of the family Poaceae, defined as a_ tropical,
subtropical, or temperate fast-growing grass with lignocellulosic
matrix, usually having hollow culms, recognized by the relevant
government agencies as a suitable material for a bamboo structure or

the built environment;

(6) Bamboo Architectural Code (BAC) refers to the set of
regulations and standards governing the design, construction,
inspection and maintenance of bamboo used as architectural building
materials. In accordance with Section 4 of this Act, the BAC shall be
incorporated in the Architectural Code of the Philippines;

(©) Bamboo Structural Code (BSC) refers to the set of
regulations and standards governing the design, construction,
inspection, and maintenance of a bamboo structure. In accordance
with Section 4 of this Act, the BSC shall be incorporated in the
Structural Code of the Philippines;

(d) Bamboo structure refers to any building or structure in

which bamboo is used as primary load-bearing material;

(ce) Built environment refers to the external and internal
environments and any element, component, or fitting that is

commissioned, designed, constructed and managed for use by people;


é Engineered bamboo refers to composite products
manufactured by binding together either veneers, strands, particles,
fibers, strips, or slats of bamboo with a suitable adhesive designed to
meet specific uses and compliant in accordance with Sec. 5 (b) and
Sec. 10 hereof;

(g) Structural bamboo refers to bamboo in a type or form

utilized for structure, construction, and load-bearing purposes; and

(h) Structural engineered bamboo refers to engineered bamboo

utilized as a load-bearing material.

SEC. 4. Development of the Bamboo Referral Codes for
Incorporation in the Structural Code of the Philippines and
Architectural Code of the Philippines. - To mainstream the use of
bamboo in the built environment for reduced environmental impact
throughout its lifecycle, integrate and implement green practices, promote
the development of a green local market for bamboo, and ensure adherence
to the framework of minimum standards and requirements governing

buildings and structures, the following are hereby mandated:

(a) Development of the BAC for Adoption in the Architectural
Code of the Philippines. — The Professional Regulatory Board of
Architecture, in consultation with the Board of Environmental
Planning, the Board of Interior Design, the Board of Landscape
Architecture and relevant stakeholders and experts in the use of
bamboo for the built environment, shall develop the BAC.

The BAC shall include guidelines and standards taking into
account best practices for the sustainable use of bamboo, aesthetics,

safety, environmental impact, and cultural considerations.


The Board of Architects shall incorporate the BAC in the current and

subsequent amendments to the Architectural Code of the Philippines.

(b) Development of the BSC for Adoption in the Structural Code
of the Philippines. - The Professional Regulatory Board of Civil
Engineers, in consultation with the Board of Chemistry, the Board of
Structural Engineers, the Institute of Civil Engineers, the Department
of Human Settlements and Urban Development, and other relevant
stakeholders in the use of bamboo for the built environment, shail
develop the BSC.

The BSC shall include guidelines and standards taking into

account structural integrity and safety.

The Board of Civil Engineers shall incorporate the BSC in the
current and subsequent amendments to the Structural Code of the

Philippines.

(©) Research and Development for Bamboo in the Built
Environment, and Establishment and Management of Comprehensive
Database for Product Development. ~ The Department of Science and
Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute
(DOST-FPRD)) shall:

@ Develop research and development programs on bamboo

and its uses in the built environment;

(i) Innovate and create new products and uses of bamboo in

the built environment;

(ii) Maintain a comprehensive database on bamboo research,
engineered bamboo, and structural bamboo products and

services, for the use of relevant government agencies, the private

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sector and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the
development of a green local market and to facilitate sustainable

public procurement; and

(iv) Coordinate closely with the BAC and BSC stakeholders,
relevant government agencies and the private sector to
incorporate technological advancements and best practices in
bamboo engineering and construction pursuant to Section 12 of

this Act.

SEC. 5. Implementation of the Bamboo Referral Codes. -

(a) All construction projects that incorporate bamboo as a
primary load-bearing material shall comply with the provisions of both
the BSC and BAC.

(b) The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council
(PBIDC) shall enforce compliance with the BSC and BAC during
construction inspections, work with the DTI for the cost-efficiency
validation and certification of green products, and issue certificates of
compliance in accordance with applicable certification rules for green
products under the governing regulatory framework. The Board of
Architecture and Board of Engineering, in coordination with the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shall incorporate
the BSC into the existing building code, referral codes and permit

application procedures.

SEC. 6. Promoting Bamboo as a Sustainable Building
Material.- The PBIDC SHALL:

(a) In coordination with the DOST and other relevant
agencies, conduct and encourage the conduct of research and

development in bamboo engineering, construction techniques, and the

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utilization of bamboo composites to ensure sustainability for

construction and form resilient supply chains;

(b) Promote awareness of the benefits of bamboo as a
sustainable building material through public campaigns, education

programs, and incentives for bamboo cultivation; and

(©) Develop programs, projects and initiatives that will
promote the cultivation of bamboo nationwide, ensure its

commercialization and widespread use in the built environment.

SEC.7. Baseline Utilizationof Bamboo for Building
Construction. - Within three (3) years from the enactment of this Act,
government agencies shall adopt measures for the construction of
government infrastructure utilizing bamboo for the built environment
pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations on sustainable, green,

and inclusive public procurement.

(a) For all new building construction, at least fifty percent
(50%) of the total wood-based structural requirements shall use
bamboo, subject to the availability of supply in the green local market

and the procuring entity’s inclusive procurement program.

(b) For identified structures, the total wood-based volume
requirement shall utilize structural bamboo.

Within five (5) years from the enactment of this Act, the private sector shall
be encouraged to adopt similar measures utilizing bamboo for the built

environment for new construction.

SEC. 8. Introduction of the Practical Education of Bamboo
Utilization in the Built Environment Architecture, Engineering, and
Related Services Curricula. - To ensure widespread adoption of the use of

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bamboo, its products, byproducts, and derivatives in building construction,
furniture production, and design utilizing bamboo in the built environment,
and to ensure the creation of sustainable and resilient supply chains for
products and services in relation to the use of bamboo in the built
environment, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall, after
consultation with the Board of Architecture and the Board of Engineering,
immediately include bamboo utilization in the existing curricula in
architecture, engineering, and related services in the next policies,
standards, and guidelines curriculum update of respective programs, or
create a specialization course that integrates bamboo utilization for the built
environment in the existing curricula. A minor subject of at least two (2)
units shall be offered to architecture and engineering undergraduate
students regarding “Introduction to Structural Bamboo,” including model-

making classes.

SEC. 9. Introduction of the Practical Education of Bamboo
Utilization in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and
Professional Licensure Examinations. - Within five (5) years from the
enactment of this Act, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) shall
require the Professional Regulatory Boards for Architecture, Interior Design,
and Engineering disciplines to include practical education on bamboo
utilization in the built environment as part of the expected learning
competency outcomes for licensure examination takers. Moreover, the PRC
shall encourage and prioritize continuing professional education providers
who can develop and offer practical education on bamboo utilization in the
built environment in the form of hands-on workshops for architects, interior

designers, and engineers.

The CPD of concerned professionals shall have a seminar of at least five (5)
CPD units on “Introduction to Structural Engineered Bamboo,” which shall

include model-making.


SEC. 10. Certification of Bamboo for Construction. - The bamboo
products, by-products, and their derivatives that will be used for building
construction shall be compliant with the Philippine National Standards, the
Philippine Building Code, and other applicable referral codes.

The concerned government agencies, including the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority, shall offer bamboo training programs to
farmer cooperatives and micro-business enterprises (BMBEs) to encourage
bamboo farming and production and enhance knowledge in proper planting
and propagation of bamboo, including the bamboo species used as
structural elements in construction. The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall

provide bamboo saplings for free to farmer cooperatives and BMBEs.

SEC. 11. Incentives. - For the purpose of encouraging registered
farmer cooperatives and BMBEs in the bamboo value chain, they shall enjoy
the applicable fiscal and non-fiscal incentives provided under existing laws,
orders, issuances, and regulations, and Title XII of the National Internal
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended by Republic Act No. 12066, otherwise
known as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to
Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE)
Act, Republic Act No. 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act”, and Republic Act No.
7900, otherwise known as High Value Crops Development Act of 1995.

Moreover, the farmer cooperatives and business enterprises shall enjoy tax
and duty-free importation of capital equipment that are actually, directly,
and exclusively used in the planting, propagation, production, and
manufacture of bamboo, engineered bamboo, structural bamboo, structural

engineered bamboo as well as the construction of bamboo structure.

Finally, investors in bamboo plantation development shall enjoy the

following incentives:


(a) Exemption from the payment of rent for the use of
government lands for commercial bamboo plantation for the first five
(5) years of operation reckoned from the date of the first harvest of the

plantation;

(b) In the case of private plantations, exemption from the
requirement to secure a cutting permit for the harvesting of bamboo
and a transport permit for as long as the plantation is registered with
the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)
of the DENR: Provided, That the plantation owner shall inform the
CENRO about the date of harvest, and the estimated volume of the
harvest. Inventory of the plantation prior to harvest shall not be
required. All CENROs shall approve and enter into a registry, the

names of private bamboo plantation investors;

(©) Exemption from the payment of forest charges and other

fees for taxes that local government units may impose;

(@) Access to development loans from public financial

institutions for plantation developers;

(@) Insurance coverage of plantations and plantation
development equipment by the Philippine Crop Insurance

Corporation;

()  Tax-free importation of plantation development
equipment, 2 including tree nursery facilities, pursuant to Republic
Act No. 10863, 3 otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization
and Tariff Act (CMTA)”;

(g) To claim expenses incurred for plantation operations as 7
deductible expenses for income tax purposes, subject to the provisions 8 of
the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended: Provided, That the


deduction shall only apply to the taxable period when the expenses were

incurred;

(h) To claim as ordinary and necessary expenses or as capital
expenditure expenses incurred in the development and operation of a

bamboo plantation prior to the initial commercial harvest;

(@) — Prioritized access for plantation developments to credit
assistance from government owned, controlled or supported financial

institutions;

@) Acceptance of plantation as collateral for loans in government-

owned or -controlled banks;

(k) In the case of a tenured developer, entitlement to fair 24
compensation upon the premature termination of the agreement at no fault
of the holder: Provided, That all depreciable permanent and semi26
permanent improvements such as roads, building, and nurseries 27
including the planted and standing trees and other forest crops 28
introduced and retained in the area, shall be properly evaluated: 29
Provided, further, That the amount of compensation shall be mutually 30
agreed upon by both the DENR and the tenure holder: Provided, 31 finally,
That in case of disagreement between them, the matter shall 32 be
submitted to arbitration by a mutually acceptable and impartial third party
adjudicator;

@) No volume restriction in the exportation of bamboo culms from
plantation;

(m) Tax-free importation of processing equipment by processors
engaged in the bamboo industry, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10863; and

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(n) Inclusion in the annual investment program of the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of industrial bamboo
plantations in forest lands and priority access to funds from external

and internal sources.

SEC. 12. Reporting and Review. - The PBIDC, DTI and DPWH shall
conduct periodic reviews and updates of the BSC and BAC to incorporate
technological advancements and best practices in bamboo engineering and

construction.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the PBIDC shall, in coordination with
the DPWH, DTI, DENR, DA, DOST, Department of the Interior and Local
Government, NEDA, (CHED), Department of Education, Philippine
Information Agency, and other relevant stakeholders, formulate and
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - if any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected

thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, or regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly.
SEC. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,

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