Bamboo forest up soon in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Ecosystem Research and Development Service (ERDS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has now started the initial steps in putting up a bambusetum, or a place that will study and propagate the different bamboo species in Bicol region.

Gilbert Gonzales, DENR-Bicol regional executive director, said the project aims to protect and propagate the existing types of bamboos thriving in different locations in the region.

Gonzales said that the project has already started through the identification of a site along the slope of Kawa-Kawa hills in Ligao City.

He said that the place will serve as genebank of the bamboo saplings both of their so-called exotic and indigenous species, and as laboratory for their possible cross breeding.

Gonzales said that at present, at least 16 bamboo species are already deposited at the DENR-ERDS in Legazpi City.

The project is eyed to help in producing more varieties of bamboo that can be used as materials for making furniture and other bamboo by-products of export quality.

“We must take note that bamboo is a sturdy material for different products that are of export quality. If we could produce them in big volume, Bicol will be exporting more of these bamboo-made products,” Gonzales said.

Bamboo industry gives livelihood to thousands of farm-workers, furniture makers, and exporters in the region.

Bamboos are among those trees that usually survive strong typhoons that are frequently visiting the Bicol region.