A legislator has filed a bill requiring the Department of Education to annually procure school desks and/or armchairs for public elementary and secondary schools nationwide made from Philippine bamboo to promote and strengthen the country's bamboo industry, a press release from Congress said.

Rep. Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-Owa Party-list) said House Bill 4920 aims to promote, strengthen and create jobs through the local bamboo industry by prescribing its scientific propagation, processing, utilization, and business development as a priority program.

HB 4920 seeks to use bamboo as planting material for annual reforestation and rehabilitation program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and to use bamboo in livelihood programs, the press release said.

The bill is also aim to at create the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Coordinating Council, which will be attached to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Its function is to coordinate all the activities of various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the success of the Philippine Bamboo Framework for Development, the press release said.

The bill also provides that an incentive such as cash reward, and tax exemption be given to them in recognition of their efforts and cooperation to the development of the bamboo industry, it added.*

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