BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
By promoting and planting of bamboo, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is optimistic that it will boost the efforts of the provincial government of Negros Occidental in addressing environmental problems such as declines in forest cover, flora and fauna, and water security.
Speaking at the launching of 1st Provincial Bamboo Fair at the Ayala Activity Center in Bacolod City, Lacson said that bamboo is a responsive alternative to climate change, having a remarkable growth rate, growing in a variety of conditions, absorbing greenhouse gases, needs no fertilizer, and can be a substitute for hard wood, thereby protecting the remaining forests.
He added that the launching of the 1st Provincial Bamboo Fair “is proof of our commitment through Provincial Integrated Water Security Program to improve our water resource management and strengthen our water sector, and at the same time, promote the emergence of previously unknown uses of bamboo.”
“It is my hope that this activity will be the start of our serious efforts in promoting the planting of bamboo, and will remind us yet again, that without serious and committed intervention, the decline of the state of our environment, including that of our water security will continue to persist, and inevitably worsen.”
The local bamboo industry in Negros Occidental gets a much-needed boost with the support of the provincial government by putting up a bamboo processing facility at the 1.6-hectare Biodiversity Conservation and Nature Tourism Center in Talisay City.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed that the provincial government has allotted an initial P9 million which will be used for the construction of a multi-purpose building.
A bamboo treatment facility and a three-floor watchtower will also be constructed at the site, he added. Diaz said a laboratory will be put up for scientists to study the surrounding flora and fauna.
A 10-room tourist facility will also be constructed, which will have a camp site for guests, he also said.
All this infrastructure will be constructed with the use of bamboo, he added. Diaz said another 100- hectare site is being processed which is located near Gawahon Eco-Park in Victorias City but is under the jurisdiction of neighboring EB Magalona.
It will be another conservation center and agro- forestry project to be owned by the province with the help of the EB Magalona Environment and Natural Resources Office, he also said.*
