QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) - - A mine firm here have stepped up its use and promotion of bamboos in its various tree planting activities within and outside its area of coverage.

James Carmichael, FCF Minerals Corp country manager said they have established a bamboo nursery to address the demand of the national government for the utilization of bamboo, known as an effective defense against soil erosion.

“With our continuing bamboo seedling production, we hope to mitigate erosion-prone areas of our coverage. We also offer our free bamboo seedlings for various tree planting activities outside our coverage,” he said.

Recently, the company conducted a tree planting activity using bamboos as major planting material coupled with a series of awareness campaign in support of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week in November this year.

He said at least 500 bamboos were planted during the tree planting initiated by their Community Relations Office (CRO) and Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Office (MEPEO) within the within the Runruno-Gold Molybdenum Project area and at the adjacent barangay of Calaocan.

In September this year, the mine firm also planted 500 bamboo seedlings within the mine rehabilitation areas of barangay Runruno in support of the World Bamboo Day.

“The use of bamboo will be sustained in our commitment for the continuing protection and development of our environment. We will also promote this planting material for other sectors showing and doing their share for the protection and rehabilitation of our environment,” Carmichael said.

He said that as of September 2021, the company has already established 19.18 hectares of bamboo plantation with diverse and high economic value species such as ‘Bayog’, Giant Bamboo, ‘Kawayang-Kiling’, ‘Kawayang-Tinik’, and ‘Buho’.(BME/PIA Nueva Vizcaya)