Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
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 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Bamboo has long been a reliable construction material in the Philippines 
because of its abundance, durability and flexibility. With its abundance nationwide, 
the Philippines has the potential to become the second-largest bamboo producer in 
the world. In 2009, the Philippines ranked sixth as the biggest exporter of bamboo 
products in the world, with a total export value reaching $30 million. Economically, 
this plant has been proven to be a sustainable alternative to wood as it can reach 
maturity in five years and can be harvested once every two years for about 100 to 
120 years. Environmentally, bamboo has also been showcased as a strategic tool to 
mitigate the effects of climate change. 
This bill seeks to promote the sustainable management and proper utilization 
of the country’s bamboo resources. It shall provide guidelines for massive bamboo 
reforestation and rehabilitation projects, education, and awareness-raising 
campaigns, adequate technology transfer mechanisms, and capacity-building 
programs ranging from support services to incentives to bamboo farmers and 
exporters, among others, while also promoting research on the versatility and 
marketability of bamboo products.  
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 
February 9, 2023
3:27 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
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 
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 “Philippine Bamboo 
Industry Development Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote 
and support industries that generate employment, especially in 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 bamboo as a sturdy, versatile, and replenishable material that 
can be a sustainable source of livelihood and a 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 the 
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sustainable utilization, propagation, and promotion of bamboo as furniture, 
food, construction and design material, and other uses. 
 
SECTION 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). 
 
SECTION 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 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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 
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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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 post-
harvesting operations. Provincial governments shall formulate and implement 
their respective bamboo industry development programs within two (2) years 
from the enactment of this law. 
 
SECTION 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 checkpoints;  
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 expenditures; 
j) Prioritized access for plantation developers to credit assistance from 
government-owned, 
controlled, 
and/or 
supported 
financial 
institutions; 
k) Acceptance of plantation as collateral for loans in government-owned 
or controlled banks; 
l) For a 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 tenure holder: 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;  
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. 
 
SECTION 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.  
 
SECTION 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. 
 


SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive and administrative 
orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 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,