Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba 
AN ACT INTEGRATING 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 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. 
JOSE MANUEL F. ALBA 
Representative, 1st District, Bukidnon
September 13, 2023
4:40 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba 
AN ACT INTEGRATING BAMBOO AS A SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL FOR 
THE BUILT  ENVIRONMENT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Bamboo Sustainability 
Act of 2023" 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The Philippine Constitution, specifically 
Section 16, Article II provides provisions on the environment, whereas  the State 
shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful 
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature vesting to the State 
the ultimate responsibility to preserve and protect the environment, where the 
Philippines is party to the Paris Agreement, among other 195 countries,  during 
the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21).   
Furthermore, the implementation of this act will lead to the achievement of a 
significant number of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDG30), - particularly on poverty reduction, good health and well being, decent 
work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, responsible 
production and consumption, climate action, life below water and above land, 
and synergistic partnerships for the goals. 
SECTION 3. Definitions 
(a) Bamboo - Refers to any species of bamboo recognized by the relevant
government agency as suitable for structural use.
(b) Bamboo Structure - Refers to any building or structure in which bamboo is
used as primary load-bearing material.
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(c) Bamboo Structural Code (BSC) - Refers to the set of regulations and 
standards governing the design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of 
bamboo structures, as specified in this Act. 
 
(d) Engineered Bamboo - A set of composite products produced from bamboo. 
 
(e) Structural Engineered Bamboo - A type of engineered bamboo utilized for 
structure, construction, and load-bearing purposes. 
 
(g) Built Environment - Refers to human-made conditions and is often used in 
architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, public health, sociology, 
and anthropology, among others. 
 
SECTION 4. Development of the Bamboo Structural Code 
 
(a) The Board of Civil Engineers and the Board of Architects shall, in consultation 
with experts in bamboo engineering and environmental sustainability such as 
the Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines, Inc (Green AP), United Architects 
of the Philippines (UAP), and the Association of Structural Engineers of the 
Philippines (ASEP) and other relevant stakeholders, develop the Bamboo 
Structural Code (BSC). 
 
(b) The BSC shall include guidelines, standards, and best practices for the safe 
and sustainable use of bamboo in construction, taking into account structural 
integrity, safety, environmental impact, and cultural considerations. 
 
SECTION 5. Adoption and Implementation of the Bamboo Structural Code 
 
(a) All construction projects that incorporate bamboo as a primary load-bearing 
material shall comply with the provisions of the BSC. 
 
(b) The Board of Civil Engineers shall incorporate the BSC into the existing 
building codes and permit application procedures. 
 
(c) The relevant government agencies shall enforce compliance with the BSC 
during construction inspections and issue certificates of compliance for 
bamboo structures that meet the code's requirements. 
 
SECTION 6. Promoting Bamboo as a Sustainable Building Material 
 
(a) The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) shall promote 
awareness of the benefits of bamboo as a sustainable building material through 
public campaigns, educational programs, and incentives for bamboo 
cultivation. 
 
(b) The PBIDC shall encourage research and development in bamboo 
engineering, construction techniques, and the utilization of bamboo composites 
to further enhance its suitability for construction. 
 
 


 
SECTION 7. Baseline utilization of bamboo for building construction 
 
Within three years after the enactment of this law, government agencies are 
mandated to adopt this measure for new construction of government 
infrastructure.  
 
(a) For all new building construction, at least fifty (50%) of total wood 
requirements (in terms of volume) shall use engineered bamboo. 
 
(b) Whereas for all load bearing structures, at least fifteen percent (15%) of 
its total volume requirement shall utilize structural engineered bamboo 
 
Within  five years after the enactment of this law, the private sector is mandated 
to adopt the same for new construction. 
 
SECTION 8. Introduction of the practical education of bamboo utilization in the 
architecture and engineering curricula - To  ensure widespread adoption of the 
use of bamboo, its products, byproducts and derivatives in building construction 
and furniture production, the higher education institutions (HEIs) are 
encouraged to integrate this to the existing curricula, or create a specialization 
course integrated in the existing curricula. 
 
SECTION 9. Introduction of the practical education of bamboo utilization in the 
continuing professional education (CPEs) and professional licensure exams - 
Within five (5) years after the enactment of this act, the Professional Regulation 
Commission (PRC) is mandated to require the Professional Regulatory Boards 
for Architecture, Interior Design and Engineering disciplines to include this as 
part of the expected learning competency outcomes for licensure exam takers. 
Moreover,  PRC is mandated to encourage and prioritize continuing professional 
education providers who can develop and offer this in the form of hands-on 
workshops for architects, interior designers and engineers.  
 
SECTION 10. Certification of bamboo to be utilized for  construction - The 
bamboo products, by-products and its derivatives which will be used for building 
construction should be compliant with the Philippine National Standards (PNS). 
 
SECTION 11. Incentives - The national government and local government units 
(LGUs) are encouraged to develop incentives for stakeholders along the  
bamboo supply chain (from sustainable propagation, localized processing and 
production, transport, utilization and end of life) 
 
 
SECTION 12. Reporting and Review - The relevant government agencies shall 
conduct periodic reviews and updates of the BSC to incorporate technological 
advancements and best practices in bamboo engineering and construction. 
 
 
. 
 


SECTION 13. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, or regulations that are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 14. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act or the application 
of such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid by a court 
of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its 
provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such 
declaration. 
 
SECTION 15. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.