THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is advocating "high design content and high production quality" bamboo products to the country's entrepreneurs.
Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said in a recent launching of the Philippine Bamboo Showcase that products with high- class features could make it costs five or ten times higher.
"It takes more effort in terms of designing and craftsmanship but that is really where we have to aspire," Domingo said.
The Philippines Bamboo Showcase, which runs from September 2 to December 2, is organized by the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC).
"The showcase is the PBIDC's contribution to this year's World Bamboo Day celebration on September 18. This celebration aims to increase the awareness and significance of bamboo globally," Domingo said.
DTI Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona said the PBIDC is ordered to cultivate the country's bamboo industry through a "pronged program or approach."
The said program that they aspired for includes planting and using bamboo.
Lantayona said the three- month long event would contribute to the "overall efforts to reduce poverty and mitigate disaster risks and climate change effects."
Domingo said part of the celebration is to showcase and feature bamboo in schools, constructions, and temporary shelter for typhoons Yolanda and Glenda victims.
"This (period) will give the general public enough time to visit and be inspired and informed by the various exhibits," he said.
Aside from awareness, Domingo said the project aimed to cater "art installations and high-end furnishings" in compact spaces like condominium and offices.
"This showcase is very important because it is not only a venue for designers to show their products, it is also to educate our entrepreneurs and the general public at what we can do in terms of design," he said.
Domingo said the private and government sectors appointed "professional designers and gifted students" to come up with the innovative designs.
The designs made by the designers and students will then be exhibited as "prototypes and visual presentations."
The showcase has been in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).
League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Bamboo Philippines and Ahon Movement, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also coordinated in the event. (Sunnex)