KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 12 led  the creation of the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Bamboo Council through a blended session attended by the provincial bamboo council officers and members, national government agencies, and non-government organizations.

The organizational meeting aimed to gather the bamboo stakeholders of the region to form a body that will be responsible for consolidating the interests and the concerns of the members, plan for the regional direction of the industry, and raise industry concerns to specific agencies.

In his message, DTI-12 Regional Director Jude Constantine Juagan reiterated the importance of creating a formal body that will represent the concerns of the bamboo stakeholders.

“This effort is in line with the strategic plan to operationalize the Bamboo Industry Roadmap 2020-2022. We would like to reiterate the goals and benefits of developing a strong Philippine bamboo industry and its value chain through proper representation of the council,” said Dir. Jaugan.

Region 12 has more than 7,000 hectares planted with bamboo and 363 registered bamboo enterprises being assisted by DTI-12 under the bamboo cluster, one of the regional priority industry clusters.

The organizational meeting resulted in DTI-12 being designated as the chair and the Mahintana Foundation Inc. as the co-chair, with the Provincial Government of Sarangani as the vice-chair for the said bamboo council.

As the next step by the council,  small group meetings are slated to consult stakeholders for the synchronization of inter-agency plans and to localize the bamboo roadmap.

As a support to the industry, DTI-12 has an existing 11 Shared Service Facility (SSF) provided to micro, small and medium enterprises engaged in bamboo agri-business and manufacturing of bamboo-based products in the region.  

“Let us continue working together in making bamboo a remarkable force in the economic, environmental, social and cultural lives of the Filipinos especially here in Region 12,” Dir. Jaugan added.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resource 12 (DENR-12) has also expressed support for the endeavor. 

“Rest assured that DENR will support our partner NGAs on their bamboo initiatives for sustainable development,” said DENR Conservation Development Chief Ali M. Hadjinasser.

The council is also preparing a series of activities for the world bamboo day on September 18, 2021.