Step to enhance competitiveness: House panels OK bill to develop PH bamboo industry

By Billy Begas

The House Committees on Agriculture and Food, on Ways and Means, and on Appropriations have endorsed to the House of Representatives the approval of the proposed Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act.

House Bill 9576, the committees underscored the importance of promoting and developing the Philippine bamboo industry to make it more competitive in foreign markets and enable it to become a major revenue and employment generator.

The measure will institutionalize the Philippine Bamboo Industry Council (PBIC), which will be tasked to provide the overall policy and program directions of the bamboo industry, and coordinate the activities of government bodies to ensure the success of the industry.

The Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC) will be created and serve as the secretariat of the Council to be headed by an Executive Director.

The PBIC will formulate the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program (PBIDP), which will include programs and projects for scientific propagation, development and commercialization of Philippine bamboo and bamboo products that will be competitive in the local and global markets.

The measure also provides incentives to investors in plantation development and bamboo processing factories.

The funds needed for the implementation of the measure will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)