Bamboo planting, propagation measure pushed in Cebu City Council

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. has proposed an ordinance promoting bamboo propagation and planting in the riverbanks and watershed areas within the city.

The proposed measure entitled “Bamboo Propagation and Planting Ordinance in Cebu City” was referred to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review.

“Studies show that bamboo forests have many environmental benefits because they function as carbon sinks, produce oxygen, control soil erosion, provide organic matter, regulate water levels in watersheds, conserve biodiversity, beautify the landscape, and essentially contribute to the purification and regulation of the environment,” read the proposed ordinance.

Section 4 of the proposed measure provides that the city government shall identify suitable areas in all barangays along watershed areas, riverbanks, and communal forests for the establishment of bamboo plantations; conduct survey mapping and establish boundary demarcation for production and protection of such plantations; identify resident farmers who shall establish and maintain communal bamboo nurseries, among others.

The Cebu City Bamboo Development Task Force shall be created to carry out the provisions of the ordinance.

It shall comprise of the Mayor as the chairman; head of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) as the vice chairman; and chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Environment and Committee on Agriculture, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, head of the City Agriculture Office, to name a few, as members.

The task force will consult various stakeholders, prepare the Implementing Rules and Regulations within 30 days upon the approval of the ordinance; conduct meetings for planning, consultation, updating, reporting and other activities, which may be deemed important to implement; prepare and implement a localized roadmap and action plan to be approved by the Mayor as basis for appropriating funds, among others.

Section 6 states that the funds for the implementation of the provisions of the ordinance and the activities of the city’s Bamboo Development Task Force shall be appropriated and derived from the city’s 20 percent Local Development Fund to be based on the approved action plan by the Mayor.

The Cebu City Bamboo Development Task Force may raise funds from other sources for specific project or activities as may be authorized by the laws. — FPL (FREEMAN)