NQMI donates bamboo seedlings to Army unit

The main job of the military is to protect the country from external aggressors and from insurgents. But they’re also doing their share in protecting the ecology. As part of the Philippine Army’s clean and green project, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, Army Support Command (ASCOM) has sought the assistance of Nepa-Q-Mart Industries (NQMI) for a donation of at least 50 bamboo seedlings to be planted inside the ASCOM compound.

Maj. Edgardo Junco and First Lt. Arlene Epe personally received the seedlings from Nereo J. Paculdo, NQMI chairman and chief proponent of the nationwide Bamboo Propagation Foundation.

The said battalion has been planting different kinds of fruit bearing and non-fruit bearing trees inside Ft. Bonifacio for the last nine years. Some of the trees are mahogany, narra, mango, santol and bayabas.

Paculdo expressed elation for the wide range of support his foundation is getting from different sectors of the society. He emphasized the versatility of the bamboo, not only in preventing soil erosion, but also as animal feed, as material for handicraft and paper making, for food and other uses. It is also a practical and economical substitute for the trees to be affected by the total log ban because bamboo is a good replacement or alternative in making plywood and wood for construction and furniture.

People interested in bamboos may contact engineer Mario Bacarra at tel. 9123290 or write to Bamboo Propagation Foundation, Nepa-Q-Mart, 127 Ermin Garcia St., Cubao, Quezon City.