PRETTY soon, public schools and government agencies will sport a “greener” look with bamboo desks, chairs and tables.
President Gloria Arroyo has signed an executive order that would, among other things, pave the way for the use of bamboo in government furniture for public elementary and secondary schools and government offices.
By signing Executive Order 879, the President established the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council that will promote the planting and use of bamboo over the next 10 years, and to soften the impact of climate change and place the country in a better position to partake of the $8-billion global market for bamboo products.
The council will receive initial funding of P20 million to provide policy and program direction There are only 40,000 hectares of land plantedto bamboo in the Philippines, but the country needs some 200,000 hectares just to meet local demand.
Bamboo has unique qualities and offers a wide array of uses. The bamboo has long been tapped as an inexpensive source of housing materials, furniture, handicraft, banana props, fish pens and other products. The young shoots of certain species are gathered for food. The rhizomes in the roots help prevent soil erosion and control floods. Because of the bamboo’s large fibers, it is also a good material for pulp and paper.
According to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, out of the 62 bamboo species growing in the Philippines today, only 21 species are native.
The council will have the Trade secretary as chairman, while its members will include the heads of the departments of Environment, Agriculture, Education, Science and Labor; the Trade undersecretary for regional operations; the head of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, two representatives from non-governmental organizations, and one representative each from two private industry associations.
Bamboo will also be the priority for furniture, fixtures and other construction requirements of government facilities. –Manila Standard Today
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For widespread, practical equality!”
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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