SOME 35 entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in Isabela, Negros Occidental attended a two-day training on bamboo propagation and management held at the town’s Liga Hall on Tuesday.
Marjorie Cajeven of the University of the Philippines-Visayas, who was the resource speaker, said the potentials of bamboo, and the alternative livelihood it can offer.
“Bamboo known as the tree of life has multiple use, not just for toothpicks, matches or fences,” she said, adding that with the use of modern technology, the commodity can be used for furniture and interior design materials.
Isabela Mayor Enrique Montilla III, who met with Cajeven and the participating stakeholders, lauded the initiative, citing that there are about 20,000 bamboo plants in the locality.
These can be utilized for various development projects, Montilla said, adding that the town also has available areas potential for bamboo propagation.
The two-day training is a project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its bottom-up budgeting (BUB) program.
Through the program, the DTI provided the funds used by the municipal government in improving local industries and helping small entrepreneurs become more competitive.
BUB, also called participatory budgeting, is a modern approach to planning in the use of government’s financial resources.
Under this scheme, civil society organizations are the ones identifying the projects needed by the community. The Local Productivity Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) of every LGU reviews the project proposal to be endorsed and facilitated for funding by the DTI.
The BUB also provides the opportunity for prospective beneficiaries to be involved in setting their own goals and expectations for a given financial period. (PR)