DENR to create bamboo forest in Marikina Watershed

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with non-government organizations to transform 20 hectares of the Marikina Watershed into a bamboo forest.

In a memorandum of agreement signed last week, the DENR Calabarzon office, Rotary International District 3830, Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association and Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc. committed to implement a program, which aims to rehabilitate the Marikina Watershed through the use of bamboo planting materials.

“Bamboo is not just an alternative to construction materials but it also helps in mitigating climate change. This is why I am pushing for the creation of mini bamboo forests in the country, which will also spur a vibrant bamboo lumber industry,” former DENR secretary Roy Cimatu said during the program launching on Feb. 16.

Cimatu has resigned as environment secretary due to health reasons.

Under the agreement, the initial phase of the program involves the establishment of a nursery where the bamboo planting materials will be nurtured over six to eight months.

The second phase will be the transplanting of the grown bamboo plants within the 20 hectares of the Marikina Watershed.

DENR Calabarzon executive director Nilo Tamoria said the planting of bamboo would be “instrumental in achieving the total rehabilitation of the Marikina Watershed.”

The DENR and the Rotary International District 3830 turned over checks amounting to P1 million to Samahang Kawayan ng Karugo Agri Farmers Association to fund the Marikina Watershed rehabilitation project.

Rotary International District 3780 provided checks for P500,000 to fund the creation of a 10-hectare bamboo nursery site in Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal.