Gov. Abet optimistic; farmers to benefit from bamboo industry

BALANGA CITY- Bataan Governor Albert Raymond Garcia S. Garcia has expressed optimism on the bright prospect of bamboo planting propagation scheme as an engine of economic growth and effective mechanism in promoting healthy environment in the upland communities.

The governor commended the Bataan Bamboo Development Council and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for initiating projects that would encourage farmers to indulge in bamboo production during the opening of shared service facility in Barangay Banawang, Bagac town last Friday, July 3l.

Garcia said the first bamboo processing plant in the province will serve as the upgraded equipment for the bamboo node of local residents to show their technological and creative skills to produce top quality products not only for local consumption but also for the global market.

With the availability of raw materials and the highly- specialized trainings to be conducted by various government agencies, the new bamboo processing could easily compete with our Asian counterparts in sharing the international demand for bamboo products, Garcia said.

He added that the engineered bamboo products have played a significant role in providing substantial supply of handicrafts for export, construction of residential houses and superb decorations, artistic slabs and tiles for the excellent structures for industrial and commercial purposes.

Ms. Nelin Cabahug, DTI Bataan provincial director said that 19 machines worth P 2.08 million for the bamboo processing plant project under the Shared Service Facility of the DTI were provided with no cost to some 80 members of Banawang Mamamayang Sagip Kalikasan (MASAGKA) housed in a one-storey building built through the financial assistance of Bataan Rep. Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. of the provinces’ second congressional district.

While the Barangay Alangan Farmers Association in Limay town, with some 100 beneficiaries received a bamboo slats processing machine worth P640,000

Bagac municipal administrator Nick Ancheta, who represented Mayor Rommel del Rosario, said the project will provide livelihood for the upland communities and a possible kick-off of the province’s wide greening program of Governor Albert Garcia for the protection of the people from the harmful effects of climate change.

He added upland farmers would have the opportunity and the responsibility to help the government address the adverse effects of climate change, long range income generating benefits in the rural folks.