BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS
DAUIN, Negros Oriental, March 4 (PIA) --- The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here yesterday turned over
P831,000 worth of engineered-bamboo power tools and equipment to Philippine
Bamboo Foundation Inc. (PBFI).
In a launching and turnover ceremony,
DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte said under the DTI’s Shared Service
Facility (SSF) program, a total of 48 processing equipment or machineries are
granted to enhance production capability and help expand bamboo business
industry.
The high-powered tools will be used for
the Integrated Bamboo Processing Center which directly employs at least 20
to 25 factory workers and indirectly help 200 bamboo farmers and
growers in the bamboo industry located in the municipalities of Dauin, Bacong,
Valencia, Zamboanaguita, Siaton, and Sibulan.
SSF program of DTI provides processing
equipment which include portable cut-off saw machines, hammer drills, power
planer, plunge routers, bench grinders, air compressor, among others to improve
product quality of bamboo items produce.
PBFI is a non-government organization
that hosts the biggest bamboo nursery for the entire Visayas and Mindanao with
at least 47 bamboo species grown in Barangay Maayong-Tubig in the municipality
of Dauin.
With the threats of global warming and
climate change, and the growing demand for eco-friendly alternative, chief of
operations Herbie Teodoro of PBFI said the organization increases its bamboo
processing operation to cater to the present need of producing alternative
“green” structure for the calamity affected areas of Bohol, Leyte and Samar
provinces.
Gov. Roel Degamo through his executive
assistance Angelo Tiongson said he welcomes the SSF project that would
alleviate poverty in the countryside and expected to generate employment and
generate livelihood that harmonizes the “Magdegamo Ta” program of the province.
The governor called on the local
environmental and agriculture departments to complement the DTI’s initiative by
accelerating the development of the bamboo industry.
“This is in response of President
Benigno Aquino’s call for all sectors of the economy to be part of the
country’s inclusive growth and increase the competitiveness of the micro,
small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs),” said the DTI official.
Dir. Caberte disclosed that DTI-7 has
P36 million available to fund SMEs in Central Visayas.
She asked mayors Bentham Dela Cruz of Amlan, Kit Marc Adanza of
Zamboanguita, and Bayawan City mayor German Saraña, who were present
during the launching, to help identify any SMEs in their respective areas to be
funded under SSF. (rmn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)