SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. B. No. 2206 
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Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE AND STRENGTHEN THE PHILIPPINE BAMBOO INDUSTRY, 
PRESCRIBING ITS SCIENTIFIC PROPAGATION, PROCESSING, UTILIZATION, AND 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AS A PRIORITY PROGRAM, AND ALLOCATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Bamboo is in high demand, given its multiple uses. For instance, because of modern 
engineering techniques and technologies, bamboo is widely used for housing components like 
floors, panels, veneers, fences, walls, beams and trusses. Engineered bamboo may even 
substitute hardwood, steel and concrete in various construction applications. 
Bamboo fibers can be woven into arts and crafts, also made into pulp for paper or 
clothing. It can also be used for energy, as activated charcoal, bamboo oil and even gas. Some 
of its extracts have food and beverage applications, even in pharmaceuticals. In many cases, 
bamboo is planted as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly useful for soil erosion 
prevention and carbon capture. 
By the end of 2012, the global market for bamboo amounted to US$12 billion, expanding 
to around US$20 billion by 2015. 
Though bamboo is native to the Philippines and plays a significant role in Filipino life, 
both practically and culturally, the country exported only US$30 million worth of bamboo 
products in 2009. Clearly, the Philippines can playa bigger role in the global bamboo industry-
creating much-needed jobs in the Philippine countryside. 
. 
A sustained, multi-stakeholder effort is necessary to achieve such a goa\. Line agencies, 
local government units, farmers and bamboo associations need to collaborate in support of a 
long-term initiative towards developing the Philippine bamboo industry. The proposed bill aims 
to establish and institutionalize such a policy for bamboo industry development. 
With the imperative to create more jobs and boost agricultural productivity throughout 
the country, swift passage of the foregoing measure is earnestly sought. 
~NAA~TOORR~~~Y~ANGARA 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S. B. No. 2206 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
1 
AN ACT 
'14 
tI~Y -6 
1\11 :29 
2 
TO PROMOTE AND STRENGTHEN THE PHILIPPINE BAMBOO INDUSTRY, 
3 
PRESCRIBING ITS SCIENTIFIC PROPAGATION, PROCESSING, UTILIZATION, 
4 
AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AS A PRIORITY PROGRAM, AND ALLOCATING 
5 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
6 
7 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
8 
Congress assembled: 
9 
10 
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Bamboo Industry 
11 
Development Act of 2013". 
12 
13 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
14 
promote industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development 
15 
and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and 
16 
natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. To 
17 
this end, the State shall promote the rapid, steady and continuous integrated 
18 
development and growth of the Philippine bamboo industry, recognizing the bamboo's 
19 
salient role as a strategic, indigenous, replenishable and renewable source of livelihood 
20 
and tool for agricultural productivity. It is also hereby declared a policy of the State to 
21 
acknowledge the great contribution of bamboo in environmental protection and 
22 
management, more importantly in light of the perils of climate change. 
23 
24 
Section 3. 
Priority Program. It is hereby authorized and prescribed, as a priority 
25 
program, the scientific propagation, processing, utilization and business development of 
26 
Philippine bamboo under the Philippine Bamboo Framework for Development. 
27 
28 
Section 4. Implementing Agency. There is hereby created a Philippine Bamboo 
29 
Industry Development Coordinating Council (PBIDCC), hereinafter referred to as the 
30 
Council, administratively attached to the Department of Trade and Industry, charged 
31 
with the main function of coordinating the activities of various agencies and 
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1 
instrumentalities to ensure the accomplishment of the Philippine Bamboo Framework for 
2 
Development. 
3 
If ever practicable and required, the Chairman of the Council shall submit an annual 
4 
report to both Houses of Congress on the status of the implementation of this Act. 
5 
6 
Section 5. Composition. The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Coordinating 
7 
Council shall be composed of the following: 
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a. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as Chairman (DTI); 
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b. Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations 
10 
and Development Group (DTI-RODG) as Head of the Council Secretariat; 
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c. Executive Director of the Cottage. Industry Development Center (CICT) as 
12 
Head of the Bamboo Technical Working Group; 
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d. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 
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e. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA); 
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f. 
Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd); 
16 
g. Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 
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h. Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); 
18 
i. 
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); 
19 
j. 
Representative from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; 
20 
k. Representative from the League of Cities of the Philippines; 
21 
I. 
Representative from a reputable Private Industry Association; 
22 
m. Two (2) Representatives from Bamboo Farmers' / Producers' / Processors' 
23 
Associations; 
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n. One (1) Representative from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); 
25 
26 
The Council shall regularly meet every two (2) .months and may hold special meetings, 
27 
whenever the need arises, to consider urgent matters upon the call of the Chairman or 
28 
any eight (8) Council members. 
29 
30 
Section 6. Council Secretariat. The Council Secretariat shall be headed by the 
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Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations and 
32 
Development Group (DTI-RODG). Technical support shall be provided by the Bamboo 
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Technical Working Group as headed by the Executive Director of the Cottage Industry 
34 
Development Center (CICT). 
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The Secretariat and technical staff shall be detailed from the existing personnel of the 
37 
Department of Trade and Industry without prejudice to the designation by the Council of 
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such additional staff members as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its 
2 
function and responsibilities. 
3 
4 
Section 7. Philippine Bamboo Framework for Development. The Philippine Bamboo 
5 
Industry Development Coordinating Council shall formulate a ten-year Framework for 
6 
Development, to be validated and updated annually. Such Framework shall serve as 
7 
guide to the formulation and implementation of plans, projects, programs, and policies 
8 
for the scientific propagation, processing, utilization, and business development of 
9 
Philippine Bamboo. The Framework shall likewise provide for the following: 
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a. Site Identification -
The Department of Environment and Natural 
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Resources in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, 
13 
Department of Agrarian Reform and the local government units, shall 
14 
identify the broad areas suitable for the planting and propagation of 
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Philippine Bamboo, within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act. 
16 
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall also 
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establish nurseries focusing on species suitable for shoot production. 
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19 
b. Scientific Propagation and Development -
The Department of 
20 
Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Science 
21 
and Technology shall establish sites and/or pilot farms for the 
22 
cultivation and propagation of Philippine bamboo. The same also 
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covers the transfer and improvement of appropriate technology and 
24 
techniques, which will be utilized in every phase of bamboo production, 
25 
processing, marketing and distribution. Particular emphasis shall be 
26 
made on adoption and upgrading of post-harvest technology; 
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c. Production Support and Extension - The Department of Environment 
29 
and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of 
30 
Trade and Industry, and the Department of Science and Technology in 
31 
coordination with the Local Government Units,. Non-Governmental 
32 
Organizations, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
33 
(TESDA), 
Cooperative 
Development 
Authority 
(CDA), 
state 
34 
universities and colleges (SUCs), and other relevant government 
35 
agencies, shall establish programs which promote and provide 
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adequate training on adapting technologies to individuals engaged in 
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propagation, production, processing, marketing and distribution of 
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Philippine bamboo, strengthen farmers' / producers" / processors' 
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2 
3 
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cooperatives and organizations involved in the sustainable and viable 
development of Philippine bamboo, and afford opportunities for 
participation in international conventions, workshops and fora. 
5 
d. Market Promotion and Business Development - The Department of 
6 
Trade and Industry, in coordination with Private Industry Associations, 
7 
shall link-up agribusiness cooperatives and organizations directly with 
8 
consumers' 
cooperatives 
and 
organizations, 
agro-processing 
9 
companies, or exporters to provide marketing outlets and assure 
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relatively higher and stable prices of bamboo. This also includes 
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exploring national and international markets and faCilitating the 
12 
participation of local farmers, growers, and exporters in local and 
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international conferences, trade fairs, expositions, and exhibits; 
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15 
e. Infrastructure Development - Access to post harvest facilities, storage 
16 
and distribution/transport faCilities of existing government agencies 
17 
shall be facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural 
18 
Resources, Local Government Units, and Department of Agriculture. 
19 
Assistance 
shall 
be 
given 
to 
qualified 
and 
viable 
20 
farmers'/producers'/processors' cooperatives and organizations in the 
21 
availment of soft loans or grants for the construction of post-harvest, 
22 
processing and storage facilities; 
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24 
f. 
Quality Assurance -
To ensure health and proper trading, the 
25 
Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and 
26 
Technology, respectively, shall establish and enforce standards in 
27 
grading, sampling and inspection, tests and analysis, specifications, 
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nomenclature, 
units of measurement, 
packaging, 
preservation, 
29 
conservation or transportation of Philippine bamboo products and by-
30 
products; and 
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32 
g. Philippine Bamboo Information Center - The Department of Trade and 
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Industry in coordination with Local Government Units shall establish a 
34 
Philippine Bamboo Information Center in areas identified pursuant to 
35 
Section 7a of this Act. 
36 
37 
Section 8. 
Bamboo as Planting Material for Annual Reforestation and 
38 
Rehabilitation. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall use 
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Philippine Bamboo as planting material for at least twenty percent (20%) of its annual, 
2 
reforestation and rehabilitation program. 
3 
4 
Section 9. Bamboo Furniture Procurement Project. The Department of Education 
5 
shall procure at least twenty five percent (25%) of the annual school desk and/or 
6 
armchair requirements of public elementary and secondary schools nationwide with the 
7 . use of Philippine Bamboo pursuant to schedules and arrangements to be agreed upon 
8 
with the Department of Trade and Industry. 
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10 
Section 10. Bamboo Livelihood Programs. The Department of Labor and 
11 
Employment, in cooperation with the Council and local govemment units, shall 
12 
formulate and implement Bamboo Livelihood Programs for preference employment of 
13 
special groups and organizations of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), marginalized 
14 
sectors, the unemployed, and retrenched Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). 
The 
15 
program shall have an appropriate training and/or skills-retooling component to be 
16 
provided by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) in 
17 
coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or 
18 
allied government institution. 
19 
20 
Section 11. Philippine Bamboo Development Fund. To provide for the funding 
21 
requirements for the propagation, production, processing, marketing and distribution of 
22 
Philippine bamboo, there is hereby created a Philippine Bamboo Development Fund 
23 
(PBDF), with an initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) to be provided by 
24 
the Department of Budget and Management to the Department of Trade and Industry's 
25 
Regional Operations and Development Group (DTI-RODG) while the budgetary 
26 
requirements of cooperating agencies shall be incorporated in their respective locally-
27 
funded projects. Other sources of funds, including but not limited to borrowings from 
28 
local and international funding institutions, shall also be authorized to further support the 
29 
Fund. 
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31 
Section 12. Incentives and Tax Exemptions. The Department of Agriculture may give 
32 
cash reward in recognition of the best bamboo farm or plantation in the country. 
33 
Bamboo farmers, producers, processors, and exporters shall also avail of the following 
34 
incentives and tax exemptions: 
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36 
a. Exemptions from taxes and duties subject to the provisions of Article 
37 
62 of Republic Act 6938 or the Cooperative Code of the Philippines; 
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b. Exemption from the value-added tax in accordance with Section 103 of 
2 
the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended; 
3 
4 
c. Exemption from taxes, fees and charges under Title One of Book Two 
5 
of the Local Government Code of 1991 in accordance with Section 
6 
133(n) of the said Code; 
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8 
d. Exemption from the payment of duties on the importation of 
9 
agricultural equipment, machinery and implements as provided under 
10 
Republic Act 8435 otherwise known as the Agriculture and Fisheries 
11 
Modernization Act as amended by Republic Act 9281; 
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e. Zero-rated value-added tax (VAT) on transactions involving the 
14 
salelpurchase of organic farm inputs; 
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16 
f. 
Provision of preferential rates and special window to bamboo farmers, 
17 
producers, processors, and exporters by the Land Bank of the 
18 
Philippines; 
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20 
g. Credit, insurance, and financing services under Republic Act 8435 
21 
otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act 
22 
and Republic Act 10000 otherwise known as the Agri-Agra Reform 
23 
Credit Act of 2009; 
24 
25 
h. Incentives and benefits under Republic Act 9178 otherwise known as 
26 
the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE's) Act of 2002 for 
27 
bamboo business entity or enterprise whose total assets including 
28 
those arising from loans but exciusive of the land on which the 
29 
particular business entity's office, plant and equipment are situated, 
30 
are not more than Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00); and 
31 
32 
i. 
Bamboo business entity or enterprise to be registered under the Bo.ard 
33 
of Investments (BOI) shall be entitled to the existing pertinent fiscal 
34 
incentives as provided by the Board of Investments or those provided 
35 
under Executive Order No. 226, as amended, otherwise known as the 
36 
Omnibus Investment Code of 1987. 
37 
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, , 
1 
Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Philippine Bamboo Industry 
2 
Development Coordinating Council shall formulate and prescribe the necessary 
3 
implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
4 
5 
Section 14. Repealing Clause. All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and 
6 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
7 
accordingly. 
8 
9 
Section 15. Separability Clause. If any of the provisions of this Act is declare invalid, 
10 
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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12 
Section 16. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately following its 
13 
publication in two newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever 
14 
comes first. 
15 
16 
Approved, 
7