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Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES JOSEPH KIM C. YU and JEYZEL VICTORIA 
C. YU
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The grass of life, as it is often tagged, bamboo can breathe life into the economic 
engines of a countryside if developed properly. It is a versatile and renewable resource 
with various benefits. It’s a type of grass that grows rapidly, making it an environmental 
alternative to slower-growing trees for numerous uses. 
Bamboo, being germane to our national character as a nation, we are fortunate 
to be a country known for producing bamboo products because, to date, it is widely 
accepted as an alternative to wood and has proven to create more rural employment 
opportunities. The Philippines has been actively producing and processing bamboo 
products that are being used for building furniture, handicrafts, serving food, musical 
instruments, and many other uses. 
Unfortunately, despite the economic potential and its rampant versatility, 
considering the strategic geographic location of the country, the bamboo industry lacks 
the necessary support through laws that will ensure its stability and advancement. 
This bill seeks to promote the aggressive, stable, and sustainable development 
of the bamboo industry, emphasizing the objectives of the Philippine Bamboo Industry 
Development Council with its aim to make the State’s bamboo industry competitive both 
in local and international markets, eventually providing better local job opportunities to 
Filipinos. It likewise reiterates the vital role of the Philippine Bamboo Industry 
Development Council (PBIDC), created under Executive Order No.879. A Bamboo 
Industry Research and Development Center is hereby created, also to serve as the 
Secretariat of the council, ensuring the systematic implementation of the policies. Lastly, it 
proposes an incentive to be given to the bamboo plantation investors, encouraging the 
stakeholders to work hand in hand with the government in promoting the growth of the 
country’s bamboo industry.  
Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JOSEPH KIM C. YU 
      JEYZEL VICTORIA C. YU 
  1st District, Zamboanga del Sur 
2nd District, Zamboanga de Sur 
July 10, 2025
2:22 pm
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1770


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Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES JOSEPH KIM C. YU and JEYZEL VICTORIA 
C. YU
AN ACT PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY BY 
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCIL, CREATING THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
CENTER, PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR BAMBOO PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
SECTION 1. Short Title. − This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Bamboo Industry 
Development Act.”  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. − It is the policy of the State to promote and support 
industries that generate employment especially in the rural areas, reduce poverty, foster a sustainable 
environment, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.   
It shall also be the policy of the State to foster a self-reliant and independent economy that 
supports indigenous, scientific and technological capabilities, and skills. To this end, the State shall 
recognize the strategic importance of the bamboo as a sturdy, versatile, and replenishable material 
that can be a sustainable source of livelihood and catalyst for agricultural productivity.   
The State shall likewise ensure the integrated and continuous development of the Philippine 
bamboo industry through policies and programs that encourage the planting of bamboo, accelerate 
the development of bamboo-based products and designs, and promote Philippine bamboo products 
in international markets. It shall establish a program for a sustainable utilization, propagation and 
promotion of bamboo as furniture, food, construction and design material, and other uses.  
SEC. 3.  The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program (PBIDP).−The PBIDC 
shall formulate the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program which shall include 
programs and projects for the scientific propagation, development and management, processing, 
utilization, business development, and commercialization of Philippine bamboo and bamboo 
products, through the cooperation of all stakeholders of the industry that include producers of raw 
materials, processors, marketing and promotion service providers, and concerned national agencies 
and local government units (LGUs).        
SEC. 4. Objectives of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program. − The 
PBIDP shall aim to make the Philippine bamboo industry competitive in the local and global 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1770


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markets and provide opportunities for local employment and the establishment of bamboo-based 
community enterprises. The PBIDP shall:   
  
(a) Ensure that the bamboo industry has sufficient quality raw materials through the 
establishment and management of bamboo nurseries and plantations;   
(b) Ensure that the bamboo industry continuously receives from the research and 
development sector relevant technologies and new products;  
(c) Ensure that the industry receives pertinent and accurate data from the PBIDC upon which 
the industry can make business decisions;  
(d) Promote investment in the bamboo industry by establishing bamboo plantations and 
bamboo processing operations, and providing substantial incentives to investors;  
(e) Provide skilled labor and manpower through continuous relevant capacity building;  
(f) Provide continuous training and capacity building in the bamboo industry  
development;                                                    
(g) Ensure provision of locally manufactured machines of improved capacity and quality at 
competitive costs;  
(h) Ensure markets of bamboo products locally and globally; and   
(i) Ensure sustainable resources for implementing the bamboo industry development 
program.  
  
SEC.  5.  Role of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC). − The 
Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC), created under Executive Order No. 
879, series of 2010, hereinafter referred to as the Council shall provide the overall policy and 
program directions of various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the implementation of the 
Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program (PBIDP).   
  
The Council shall be administratively attached to the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI) and shall now be composed of the following:  
  
a) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as Chairperson;  
b) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);  
c) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);  
d) Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd);  
e) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);  
f) Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);  
g) Executive Director of the Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center;  
h) Chairperson of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples;  
i) National President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines;   
j) Executive Director of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines;  
k) Two (2) Representatives from Non-Government Organizations;   
l) One Representative from a reputable private industry association; and  
m) One Representative each from the Bamboo Farmers, the Bamboo Manufacturers, and the 
Bamboo Processors’ Associations.   
  
The PBIDC shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the 
attainment of the objectives of this Act.  
  
  SEC. 6. Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC). − The Bamboo Industry 
Research and Development Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, is hereby created to serve 
as the secretariat of the Council to be headed by an Executive Director. The Center shall consist of 


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divisions as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of  the goals and objectives of 
the Center, including the following functions: research and development; trade promotion and 
education; networking and linkages; internal administration and finance; and such other divisions 
as may be necessary.   
  
The organizational structure, staffing pattern and compensation schedule of the Center shall 
be prepared in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. Other member  agencies of the 
Council shall provide additional administrative and technical staff support to the Center upon the 
determination by the Council of the necessity for such augmentation.  
  
The Center shall perform the following powers and functions:  
a) Promote and encourage the establishment and management of bamboo nurseries, 
plantations and processing facilities that would accelerate the production and 
commercialization of bamboo and various bamboo products;  
b) Promote the commercialization and market access of appropriate, innovative and viable 
bamboo industry development technologies and products;  
c) Monitor and evaluate the performance of bamboo industry development programs   and 
projects;  
d) Coordinate and partner with other government agencies in the implementation of 
bamboo industry development programs and projects;  
e) Coordinate and partner with the private sector, people's organizations and 
nongovernmental organizations, and the academe in providing assistance on matters 
pertaining to bamboo industry development;  
f) Accept grants, donations and contributions from local and international donors and such 
similar sources of funds for the implementation of the provisions of this Act,  
subject to the usual budget, accounting and auditing rules and regulations;  
g) Conduct capability-building initiatives for farmers, processors, designers, and other 
stakeholders in the bamboo industry;  
h) Conduct research and development in partnership with appropriate government agencies 
to advance sustainable bamboo industry development practices;  
i) Supervise the implementation of the plans and programs of the Council;  
j) Manage and administer the projects identified by the Council;   
k) Conduct, in cooperation or partnership with appropriate government agencies, a periodic 
review of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap; and  
l) Submit periodic reports to the Council on the progress and accomplishment of programs 
and projects.  
  
SEC. 7. The Executive Director of the Center. The Executive Director shall be  appointed 
by the Chairperson of the PBIDC with the approval of the Council. The Executive Director shall 
be a citizen and resident of the Philippines and must possess executive and management experience 
of at least three (3) years, and considerable knowledge about the bamboo industry.  
  
In addition, the Executive Director shall have the following powers and functions: a) 
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Center;   
b) Provide technical and administrative support to the Council;   
c) Assist the Council in the performance of its tasks; and  
d) Perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be necessary to 
implement this Act.  
  


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SEC. 8. Support to the Program by Local Government Units. − Local government units 
(LGUs) shall participate in the implementation of the PBIDP.  Each LGU shall establish a Bamboo 
Industry Development Council and shall endeavor to capacitate agricultural workers   and encourage 
entrepreneurs to acquire the needed competencies in harvesting and postharvesting operations.   
  
 Provincial governments shall formulate and implement their respective bamboo industry 
development programs within two (2) years from the enactment of this law.  
  
SEC. 9. Incentives for bamboo in plantation development. The following incentives shall 
be provided to investors in bamboo plantation development:  
  
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) Exemption of private plantations from the requirements 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 that 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;  
c) Exemption from the payment of forest charges and other fees for taxes that local 
government units may impose;  
d) No inspection of harvested bamboo at check points;  
e) Access to development loans from public financial institutions for plantation developers;   
f) Insurance coverage of plantations and plantation development equipment by the 
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC);  
g) Tax free importation of plantation development equipment, including tree nursery 
facilities, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs  
Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA);  
h) Expenses incurred for plantation operations shall be allowed as deductible expenses for 
income tax purposes, subject to the provisions 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;  
i) Expenses incurred in the development and operation of a bamboo plantation prior to the 
commercial harvest shall be regarded as ordinary and necessary expenses or as capital 
expenditure;  
j) Prioritized access for plantation developers to credit assistance from governmentowned, 
controlled and/or supported financial institutions;  
k) Acceptance of plantation as collateral for loans in government owned or controlled 
banks;  
l) For tenured developer, entitlement to fair compensation upon the premature termination 
of the agreement at no fault of the holder: Provided , that all depreciable permanent and 
semi-permanent improvements such as roads, buildings, and nurseries including the 
planted and standing trees and other forest crops introduced and retained in the area, 
shall be properly evaluated: Provided further, that  the amount of  compensation shall be 
mutually agreed upon by both the Department and the tenureholder: Provided finally, 
that  in case of disagreement between them, the matter shall be submitted to arbitration 
by a mutually acceptable and impartial third party adjudicator;  
m) Exportation of bamboo culms from plantation without restrictions in volume;  


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n) Tax free importation of processing equipment by processors engaged in bamboo 
industry, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs  
Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA); and   
o) Inclusion in the annual investment program of the National Economic Development 
Authority of industrial bamboo plantations in forest lands and priority access to funds 
from external and internal sources.  
  
SEC. 10.  Appropriations. − The funds necessary to carry out the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s budget of the DTI. Thereafter, such sums as may 
be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.  
  
SEC. 11.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. − Within sixty (60) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the DTI-PBIDC shall, in coordination with the DENR, and DOST      
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement this Act.    
  
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. − If any provision of this Act or part hereof is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full 
force and effect.   
  
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. − All laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.  
  
SEC. 14. Effectivity. − This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in   
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
  
Approved,