Rizal descendant a bamboo enthusiast

A great-great grandnephew of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is the latest to venture into bamboo growing. Francisco Lopez sought the assistance of Nepa-Q-Mart Industries (NQMI) headed by lawyer-businessman Nereo J. Paculdo. The latter has been giving away free bamboo planting materials and is also extending technical assistance in planting as well as in putting up bamboo nurseries to deserving individuals and groups.

Lopez, at his age of 89 is still very strong and personally tend his farm. He has lots of fruit bearing trees in his farm. He received 50 kawayang tinik from NQMI and will plant it on a 3.75 hectares farm lot located at Barrio Patho, Los Baños, Laguna. He said that he’s aware of the many benefits that can be derived in planting bamboo.

"I intend to grow it now and share it later with my kababayans. I’m also planning to put up a cottage industry so that I can help people here and these seedlings will be a good start for these purpose," Lopez explained.

NQMI has been distributing free bamboo seedlings for the past 13 years and has been campaigning for the nationwide planting of bamboo.

Paculdo for his part is hoping that other individuals will realize the importance of bamboo and will participate in this noble undertakings.

For inquiries, visit Bamboo Propagation Foundation at NQMI office at 127 Ermin Garcia St., Cubao, Q.C. or call 9123287-90.