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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.4329

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
MAINSTREAMING THE USE OF BAMBOO AS A SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL
FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Bamboo is one of the Philippines’ most abundant and renewable natural resources. With
over sixty species found in the country, bamboo is a fast-growing and versatile material with
applications ranging from housing and construction, furniture and handicrafts, to energy, food,
and industrial uses. Unlike traditional hardwood, bamboo regenerates quickly, can be harvested
within three to five years, and plays a vital role in soil conservation and carbon sequestration.

Globally, the bamboo industry is valued at more than USD 70 billion annually, driven
by demand for sustainable construction materials, green design, and eco-friendly consumer
products. China, India, and Vietnam have hamessed bamboo to create competitive export
industries, generating both jobs and revenues. The Philippines, despite its abundant resource
base, has yet to fully unlock this potential due to fragmented standards, limited investment in
processing technologies, and insufficient promotion of bamboo as a mainstream construction

and industrial material.

Bamboo also contributes directly to climate change mitigation. Studies by the
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) show that bamboo absorbs more
carbon dioxide and releases more oxygen than many tree species. In the context of the
Philippines’ commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs), mainstreaming bamboo in construction and industry can help reduce

greenhouse gas emissions while providing sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.



This proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the use of bamboo as a sustainable

material for the built environment by:

1.

Establishing Bamboo Referral Codes under the Structural Code and Architectural Code
of the Philippines, to ensure safety, reliability, and performance standards for bamboo-

based construction;

. Supporting research, development, and innovation in engineered and structural bamboo

through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and higher education

institutions;

. Mandating goverment infrastructure projects to utilize bamboo-based materials

wherever feasible, creating baseline demand;

. Promoting bamboo education and training, from curriculum integration in architecture

and engineering to continuing professional development for practitioners;

. Providing incentives for bamboo farming, plantation development, and processing,

including access to credit, crop insurance, tax incentives, and market linkages; and

. Establishing mechanisms for certification, standardization, and product quality

assurance to enable domestic and export competitiveness.

By passing this measure, the Philippines can strengthen its bamboo industry as a pillar

of green growth, climate resilience, and rural development. It will provide farmers with new

livelihood opportunities, reduce dependence on imported construction materials, and position

the country as a leader in sustainable architecture and design.

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

4D ADRIAN)SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4329

Introduced by Representative RAYMO!

ADRIAN SALCEDA

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; halt and reverse land degradation; and halt biodiversity
loss.

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 for 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 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 bamboo as
structural building materials. In accordance with Section 4 of this Act, the BSC shall
be incorporated in the Structural Code of the Philippines;

(4) Bamboo structure refers to any building or structure in which bamboo is used as a
primary load-bearing material;

(c) Engineered bamboo refers to composite products manufactured by binding together
veneers, strands, particles, fibers, strips, or slats of bamboo with a suitable adhesive
designed to meet specific uses and compliant in accordance with Section 5 of this
Act;

(Structural bamboo refers to bamboo in a type or form utilized for structure,
construction, and load-bearing purposes; and

(g) 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, and promote the development of a green local market
for bamboo, and to enhance adherence to the referral standards, the following shall be
undertaken:

(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 Architecture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and other
relevant stakeholders in the use of bamboo for the built environment, shall develop
the BAC. The BAC shall include standards taking into account bamboo
construction, aesthetics, safety, environmental impact, and cultural considerations;

(b) Development of the BSC for adoption in the Structural Code of the Philippines —
The Professional Regulatory Board of Civil Engineering, in consultation with the
Board of Civil Engineering, DENR, DHSUD, and other relevant stakeholders, shall
develop the BSC. The BSC shall include guidelines and standards on structural
integrity and safety.

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 the BSC and BAC;


(b) The Philippine Bamboo Industry Council (PBIDC) shall enforce compliance with
the BSC and BAC, in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
for certification and green product labelling, the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) for technical research, and other agencies for monitoring and
compliance.

SEC. 6. Promoting Bamboo as a Sustainable Building Material. The PBIDC shall:

(a) Coordinate with the DOST and other relevant agencies to encourage research and
development in bamboo engineering, construction technologies, and utilization of
bamboo composites:

(b) Promote awareness of the benefits of bamboo through public campaigns, education
programs, and incentives for bamboo cultivation;

(c) Develop programs and projects that will promote bamboo plantations and ensure
its widespread use in construction.

SEC. 7. Baseline Utilization of Bamboo for Building Construction. Within three (3)
years from the effectivity of this Act, government agencies shall adopt measures to ensure that
infrastructure programs use bamboo where feasible. For all public building construction, at
least fifty percent (50%) of the wood-based structural components shall use bamboo, subject
to availability and structural safety standards.

SEC. 8. Practical Education. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in
consultation with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), shall integrate bamboo
utilization in the built environment into architecture, engineering, and related curricula.
Continuing professional development programs shall likewise include modules on structural
bamboo and engineered bamboo.

SEC. 9. Certification of Bamboo for Construction. Bamboo products, by-products, and
derivatives used in construction shall comply with the Philippine National Standards, the
Philippine Building Code, and other applicable referral codes.

SEC. 10. Incentives. To encourage registered farmer cooperatives and micro, small, and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in bamboo production and processing, the following
incentives shall apply:

(a) Exemption from rent for use of government lands for commercial bamboo
plantations for the first five (5) years of operation;

(b) Access to development loans from public financial institutions;
(©) Insurance coverage from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC);
(4) Tax-free importation of processing equipment; and

(e) Inclusion in government procurement programs for sustainable construction.


SEC. 11. Reporting and Review: The PBIDC, DTI, and the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) shall conduct periodic reviews and publish updated reports on best
practices in bamboo construction.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the PBIDC, in coordination with the DPWH, DENR, DOST, DHSUD,
CHED, PRC, and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, and
administrative regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,