Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BAMBOO 
INDUSTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
With the growing global awareness of climate change, the bamboo is gaining 
popularity in the domestic and international markets as a sustainable resource in the 
manufacture of industrial products or as a construction material. The bamboo has 
been hailed as a sustainable product since it can grow rapidly without the need for 
replanting, and without chemical pesticides and fertilizers.  
On a global scale, the value of the world's bamboo market was estimated to be 
US$68.8 billion for traditional and non-traditional bamboo products in 2018.1 It is 
estimated to reach US$82.9 billion by 2028,2 80% of which will come from the Asia 
Pacific Region. 
Recognizing the enormous potential of the bamboo industry, this bill seeks to 
institutionalize the goals of Executive Order No. 879 (series of 2010), which created 
the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC). This bill also seeks to 
strengthen the incentives, assistance and programs available to the Philippine 
bamboo industry to ensure its rapid development. 
1 “Bamboos Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, By Application (Raw Materials, Industrial Products, Furniture, Shoots), 
By 
Region, 
And 
Segment 
Forecasts, 
2019 
–
2025”.
Grand 
View 
Research. 
Retrieved 
from 
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bamboos-market (Last accessed: August 4, 2022). 
2 “The Global Bamboo Market is Projected to Reach $82.90 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.7% - ResearchAndMarkets.com.” 
November 30, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211130005687/en/The-Global-Bamboo-
Market-is-Projected-to-Reach-82.90-Billion-by-2028-at-a-CAGR-of-5.7---ResearchAndMarkets.com (Last accessed: August 4, 
2022). 
March 29, 2023
11:03 am
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Among others, this bill mandates the formulation of a Philippine Bamboo 
Industry Development Roadmap, and the establishment of the Philippine Bamboo 
Industry Development Council and the Bamboo Industry Research and Development 
Center.  The Roadmap shall include, but not be limited to, programs and projects for 
the scientific propagation, development and management, processing, utilization, 
business development, and commercialization of Philippine bamboo and bamboo 
products.  On the other hand, the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council 
shall provide the overall policy and program direction and coordinate the activities of 
the various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the implementation, 
accomplishment and periodic review and enhancement of the Roadmap. 
Indeed, the humble bamboo represents an important resource with tremendous 
economic, ecological, and environmental benefits for improving rural livelihood, saving 
forests, and preventing environmental problems.3 In view of the foregoing, the 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
3 “Research on the Utilization and Development of Bamboo Resources through Problem Analysis and Assessment” Retrieved 
from https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/300/5/052028/pdf(Last accessed on 2 August 2022)


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Bamboo 
1 
Industry Development Act." 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
4 
to promote and support industries that create and generate employment, 
5 
especially in the rural areas, reduce poverty, promote environmental 
6 
sustainability, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and promote inclusive 
7 
growth. 
8 
9 
SEC. 3. Objectives. – This Act aims to make the Philippine bamboo industry 
10 
competitive in the local and international markets while providing opportunities 
11 
for local employment and establishing bamboo-based community enterprises 
12 
by:  
13 
14 
a)
Promoting the integrated and holistic development of the bamboo
15 
industry in various aspects of research, production, processing, marketing,
16 
consumption, capacity building, and regulation;
17 
18 
b)
Ensuring that the bamboo industry has sufficient supply of quality raw
19 
materials through the establishment and management of bamboo nurseries
20 
and plantations;
21 
22 
c)
Ensuring that relevant and accurate data on the bamboo industry are
23 
collated and published by the Bamboo Industry Research and Development
24 
Center created under Section 7 of this Act, in cooperation with various
25 
7800


government agencies, private entities and other relevant sources, to aid in 
1 
business decisions related to the industry;  
2 
3 
d)
Promoting investments in the bamboo industry by providing substantial
4 
and attractive incentives to investors;
5 
6 
e)
Providing skilled labor and manpower through continuous relevant
7 
capacity building;
8 
9 
f)
Ensuring the provision of locally manufactured machines with improved
10 
capacity, efficiency, and quality at competitive costs;
11 
12 
g)
Improving bamboo industry research and development to discover new
13 
products and technologies, and advance market access for Philippine bamboo
14 
and bamboo products locally and internationally;
15 
16 
h)
Providing access to markets of bamboo products locally and
17 
internationally through aggressive trade promotions; and
18 
19 
i)
Ensuring sustainable resources in the implementation of the bamboo
20 
industry development program.
21 
22 
SEC. 4. Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap (PBIDR). – To 
23 
be able to attain the objectives of this Act, there shall be formulated and 
24 
established a Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap (Roadmap), 
25 
which shall include, but not be limited to, programs and projects for the scientific 
26 
propagation, development and management, processing, utilization, business 
27 
development, and commercialization of Philippine bamboo and bamboo 
28 
products.  The Roadmap shall include the following objectives, among others:  
29 
30 
a)
Expand the number of bamboo nurseries with quality planting materials;
31 
32 
b)
Ensure the propagation, breeding, site species matching and plant
33 
nutrition of bamboos;
34 
35 
c)
Observe sustainable planting, management and harvesting, and soil and
36 
water conservation practices;
37 
38 
d)
Encourage bamboo backyard farming;
39 
40 
e)
Ensure the sustainability and viability of the bamboo industry;
41 
42 
f)
Promote investments in the bamboo industry development programs;
43 
44 
g)
Advance market access for Philippine bamboo and bamboo products
45 
locally and internationally;
46 
47 
h)
Extend technical and financial assistance for the development,
48 
processing, commercialization and marketing of various bamboo products;
49 
50 


i) 
Require bamboo to be at least 20% of the annual planting materials 
1 
needed in the national greening program or in reforestation of open, denuded 
2 
and degraded forest lands;  
3 
 
4 
j) 
Encourage all government offices to purchase furniture made of 
5 
bamboo; 
6 
 
7 
k) 
Develop bamboo plantations as eco-tourism sites; 
8 
 
9 
l) 
Use bamboo in the manufacture of at least 25% of desks and chairs, as 
10 
an alternative wood, in public primary and secondary schools in the country; 
11 
 
12 
m) 
Make available to the bamboo industry relevant and current research 
13 
and technological information and new product lines;  
14 
 
15 
n) 
Provide continuous training and capacity building in the bamboo industry 
16 
development; and  
17 
 
18 
o) 
Provide technical and financial assistance in the local design and 
19 
fabrication of high capacity processing equipment and machineries for the 
20 
bamboo industry.  
21 
 
22 
SEC. 5. Membership of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development 
23 
Council (PBIDC). – The composition of the Philippine Bamboo Industry 
24 
Development Council (Council)as provided under Executive Order No. 879, s. 
25 
2010, is hereby amended as follows..   
26 
 
27 
a) 
Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as Chairperson;  
28 
 
29 
b) 
Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;  
30 
 
31 
c) 
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;  
32 
 
33 
d) 
Secretary of the Department of Education;  
34 
 
35 
e) 
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; 
36 
 
37 
f) 
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment;  
38 
 
39 
g) 
Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government;  
40 
 
41 
h) 
Secretary of the Department of Tourism; 
42 
 
43 
i) 
One representative each from the League of Provinces of the 
44 
Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines and League of Municipalities of 
45 
the Philippines; 
46 
 
47 
j) 
One (1) representative each from bamboo farmers, bamboo 
48 
manufacturers, and bamboo process associations;  
49 
 
50 


k)
One (1) representative each from a State university or college in Luzon, 
1 
Visayas and Mindanao;
2 
3 
l)
One (1)  representative from Non-Governmental Organizations; and
4 
5 
m)
One (1) representative from the private sector involved in a business
6 
belonging to the bamboo industry.
7 
8 
The Council shall provide the overall policy and program directions and 
9 
coordinate the activities of the various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure 
10 
the implementation, accomplishment, periodic review and enhancement of the 
11 
Roadmap. 
12 
13 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. – The Council shall have the 
14 
following powers and functions:  
15 
16 
a)
Formulate the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap;
17 
18 
b)
Identify specific and priority programs and projects in support of, and in
19 
line with, the Roadmap;
20 
21 
c)
Identify sources of financing to expand bamboo industry development;
22 
23 
d)
Submit annual reports, not later than June 30 of each year, to the Office
24 
of the President and to each House of Congress on the status of the
25 
implementation of the Roadmap and the bamboo industry development in the
26 
country; and
27 
28 
e)
Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers
29 
and functions as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.
30 
31 
SEC. 7. Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC). – 
32 
There is hereby established a Bamboo Industry Research and Development 
33 
Center (Center) which shall serve as the secretariat of the Council.  
34 
35 
The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director, and shall consist of 
36 
divisions for the following purposes: (1) research and development; (2) trade 
37 
promotion and education; (3) networking and linkages; (4) internal 
38 
administration; (5) and such other purposes as necessary to achieve the 
39 
purposes of this Act.  
40 
41 
The composition of the divisions shall be prepared by the Executive Director 
42 
and approved by the Council.  
43 
44 
The organizational structure, staffing pattern and compensation schedule of the 
45 
Center shall be in accordance with applicable Civil Service rules and 
46 
regulations. 
47 
48 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the Center. – The Center shall have the 
49 
following powers and functions:  
50 


 
1 
a) 
Promote and encourage the establishment and management of bamboo 
2 
nurseries, plantations and processing facilities that would accelerate the 
3 
production and commercialization of bamboo and various bamboo products;  
4 
 
5 
b) 
Promote the commercialization and market access of appropriate, 
6 
innovative and viable bamboo industry development technologies and 
7 
products;  
8 
 
9 
c) 
Monitor and evaluate the performance of bamboo industry development 
10 
programs and projects;  
11 
 
12 
d) 
Coordinate and partner with other government agencies in the 
13 
implementation of bamboo industry development programs and projects;  
14 
 
15 
e) 
Coordinate and partner with the private sector, people’s organizations 
16 
and non-governmental organizations, and the academe in providing assistance 
17 
on matters pertaining to bamboo industry development;  
18 
 
19 
f) 
Accept grants, donations and contributions from local and international 
20 
donors and such similar sources of funds for the implementation of this Act, 
21 
subject to the usual budget, accounting and auditing rules and regulations;  
22 
 
23 
g) 
Conduct, in cooperation or partnership with appropriate government 
24 
agencies, a periodic review of the Roadmap;  
25 
 
26 
h) 
Conduct capability-building initiatives for farmers, processors, designers 
27 
and other stakeholders in the bamboo industry;  
28 
 
29 
i) 
Conduct research and development in partnership with appropriate 
30 
government agencies to advance sustainable bamboo industry development 
31 
practices;  
32 
 
33 
j) 
Promote the establishment and creation of bamboo farm tourism camps 
34 
in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the private sector; 
35 
 
36 
k) 
Gather data and create an information system related to bamboo, 
37 
including but not limited to, plantations, population, species, workers and 
38 
beneficiaries, investors, product demands and supplies, and costs and benefits 
39 
for market research; 
40 
 
41 
l) 
Supervise the implementation of the plans and programs of the Council;  
42 
 
43 
m) 
Manage and administer the projects identified by the Council; and 
44 
 
45 
n) 
Submit periodic reports to the Council on the progress and 
46 
accomplishment of programs and projects.  
47 
 
48 
SEC. 9. The Executive Director of the Center. – The Executive Director shall 
49 
be appointed on a permanent capacity by the President of the Republic 
50 


Philippines from the list of nominees submitted by the DTI Secretary. He/she 
1 
shall be a citizen and resident of the Philippines and must possess executive 
2 
and management experience of at least three (3) years and with considerable 
3 
knowledge in bamboo industry development. The Executive Director, in 
4 
addition to his/her duties in the Center, shall have the following powers and 
5 
functions:  
6 
 
7 
a) 
Assist the Council in the performance of its tasks;  
8 
 
9 
b) 
Provide technical and administrative support to the Council;  
10 
 
11 
c) 
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Center; and  
12 
 
13 
d) 
Perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be 
14 
necessary to implement this Act.  
15 
 
16 
SEC. 10. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on 
17 
Bamboo for Commercialization. – In addition to its mandate under the 
18 
Bamboo Plantation Development Program (BPDP), the DENR shall ensure the 
19 
development and expansion of nurseries and plantations of bamboo for 
20 
commercialization and industrial purposes, while taking into consideration the 
21 
ecological balance in areas identified for plantation and propagation. It shall 
22 
continue to conduct research and development activities for production or 
23 
propagation of bamboo.  
24 
 
25 
SEC. 11. Department of Science and Technology for Research and 
26 
Development. – The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products 
27 
Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) shall be the main 
28 
research and development arm of the Council for bamboo utilization. It shall 
29 
work closely in coordination with the Center and other government agencies, 
30 
such as the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-
31 
BAR) to innovate and advance sustainable bamboo industry development 
32 
practices.  
33 
 
34 
SEC. 12. Role of the Local Government Units. – Local Government Units 
35 
(LGUs) in cooperation with the DENR, DTI and the DOST-FPRDI, and in 
36 
consultation with the DA and the National Commission on Indigenous People 
37 
(NCIP) when necessary, shall regularly conduct surveys of existing bamboo 
38 
stands, nurseries and plantations in their respective localities, and shall 
39 
strengthen the local bamboo industry by promoting bamboo enterprises in their 
40 
respective localities.  
41 
 
42 
SEC. 13. Establishment of Provincial, City and Municipal Bamboo 
43 
Industry Development Councils and Bamboo Industry Development 
44 
Programs. –  LGUs shall, as far as practicable, establish their respective 
45 
Bamboo Industry Development Councils.  
46 
 
47 
LGUs shall regularly conduct a survey of existing bamboo stands, nurseries 
48 
and plantation and bamboo enterprises in their respective localities.  
49 
 
50 


Each local Bamboo Industry Development Council shall conduct a survey of 
1 
existing bamboo clumps and bamboo processing enterprises that are operating 
2 
in the locality.  
3 
 
4 
SEC. 12. Provision of Incentives to Investors involved in Bamboo 
5 
Development. – The following incentives shall be provided to investors in 
6 
plantation development and bamboo processing factories: 
7 
 
8 
a) 
The Board of Investments shall classify bamboo nurseries and 
9 
plantations as pioneer and bamboo processing as preferred areas of 
10 
investment under its Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) subject to pertinent rules 
11 
and regulations;  
12 
 
13 
b) 
Plantation owners, including nursery facilities, bamboo processing and 
14 
other related businesses shall be exempt from the payment of import duties for 
15 
imported machines and equipment subject to pertinent rules and regulations;  
16 
 
17 
c) 
Plantation owners in public lands shall be exempt from the payment of 
18 
forest charges that may be imposed by the national government and other fees 
19 
or taxes imposed by LGUs; 
20 
 
21 
d) 
Bamboo plantations shall not require a cutting permit for harvesting and 
22 
a transport permit for transporting its produce: Provided, that such plantation is 
23 
registered with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office 
24 
(CENRO) of the DENR;  
25 
 
26 
e) 
Expenses incurred, including those incurred in the development and 
27 
operation of the bamboo plantation prior to commercial harvest shall be allowed 
28 
as deductible expenses from gross income;  
29 
 
30 
f) 
Bamboo plantations shall be accepted as a collateral for loans in 
31 
government financial institutions (GFIs);  
32 
 
33 
g) 
The bamboo plantation developer and processors shall be given priority 
34 
to access credit assistance and guarantee schemes being granted by GFIs; 
35 
and 
36 
 
37 
h) 
Bamboo plantations and plantation development equipment shall be 
38 
covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.  
39 
 
40 
SEC. 12. Appropriations. – An amount of One Hundred Million Pesos 
41 
(Php100,000,000.00) to be sourced from the contingency fund of the Office of 
42 
the President and the existing budget for bamboo industry development under 
43 
the DTI is hereby appropriated for the initial budgetary requirements of this Act.  
44 
Additionally, an amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (Php100,000,000.00) 
45 
shall be sourced from the revenues of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming 
46 
Corporation (PAGCOR) for the effective implementation of this Act.  
47 
 
48 


Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the effective implementation 
1 
of this Act and for the continuous operation of the Center shall be included in 
2 
the annual General Appropriations Act.  
3 
 
4 
SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. –  Within sixty (60) days from 
5 
the effectivity of this Act, DTI, in consultation with the members of the Council 
6 
and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
7 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
8 
 
9 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. – Should any provision herein be declared 
10 
unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the other 
11 
provisions of this Act. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. –  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
14 
or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
15 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
16 
 
17 
SEC. 16. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
18 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
19 
circulation. 
20 
 
21 
 
22 
 
23 
 
24 
Approved,
25