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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

12 AiG 2005
Quezon City, Manila ne

TIME

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._3977

INTRODUCED BY REP. ANNA VICTORIA VELOSO-TUAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines, being one of the world’s most biodiversity-rich countries, is endowed with
an abundance of bamboo—a fast-growing, renewable, and sustainable resource. Despite its
economic and ecological advantages, bamboo remains underutilized in the country's
construction and infrastructure industries, which continue to rely heavily on traditional
materials with significant carbon footprints, such as steel and concrete.

This bill seeks to mainstream the use of bamboo as a sustainable material for the built
environment, in recognition of its potential to contribute to climate change mitigation,
disaster resilience, economic empowerment, and inclusive development. Bamboo is not only
biodegradable and highly renewable, but it also absorbs more carbon dioxide than most tree
species, making it a vital resource in achieving the country’s environmental and climate

goals.

Anchored on the State's commitment to protect the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology, and aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this
proposed measure aims to promote green architecture, circular construction, and

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sustainable urban development by integrating bamboo into the country's building and

structural codes.

The bill mandates the creation and incorporation of a Bamboo Architectural Code (BAC)
and a Bamboo Structural Code (BSC) into the Philippine standards for construction and
infrastructure. It also empowers government agencies, in collaboration with academic
institutions and the private sector, to develop research programs and educational curricula
on bamboo construction, provide incentives for bamboo farming and processing, and ensure

quality standards through certification and compliance mechanisms.

Furthermore, it encourages the use of bamboo in both public and private construction
projects, beginning with a baseline utilization requirement for government infrastructure
within three years from enactment. The measure also introduces Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) modules and tertiary-level curricula to ensure technical competence

and widespread adoption in the professional sector.

By institutionalizing support and incentives for bamboo cultivation, processing, and usage,
the bill seeks to stimulate rural economies, provide livelihood opportunities, reduce
construction costs, and foster a culture of sustainability within the environment.

This measure is premised on House Bill No. 11934 which was approved on the Third Reading
by the House of Representatives during the 19" Congress last June 4, 2025.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly sought.

Aun iad

ANNA VICTORIA VELOSO-TUAZON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 357 1

INTRODUCED BY REP. ANNA VICTORIA VELOSO-TUAZON

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;

(b) 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;

(c) 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;

(©) 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;

(f) 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, shall 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-
FPRDI) shall:

(i) 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;

(iii) Maintain a comprehensive database on bamboo research, engineered bamboo, and

structural bamboo products and services, for the use of relevant government agencies, the


private sector and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the development ofa 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 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

(c) 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 Utilization of 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 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 shalll 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;

(d) Access to development loans from public financial institutions for plantation developers;
(e) Insurance coverage of plantations and plantation development equipment by the
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation;

(0) 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)’;

{g) To claim expenses incurred for plantation operations 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;

(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;

(i) Prioritized access for plantation developments to credit assistance from government
owned, controlled or supported financial institutions;

(j) Acceptance of plantation as collateral for loans in government-owned or -controlled
banks;


(k) In the case of 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, building, 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 DENR 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;

(1) 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

(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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