COTABATO CITY (22 September 2021) — Lanao del Sur Bamboo Company discusses with the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM the potential collaboration of both agencies for the establishment of prospective Community Based Forest Restoration Agreement (CBFRA) Bamboo and Tree Plantation inside Amai Manabilang, Lanao del Sur.

LDS BC says that the CBFRA aims to “contribute to the Sustainable Development and the Normalization Track of the Peace Agreement while respecting the Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Framework revolving around the principle of moral governance.”

“There is truly no disadvantageous factor about this project. This will benefit the Bangsamoro environment and other social aspect of the region; therefore, we hope that we could implement this,” BARMM Senior Minister and MENRE Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua said.

The project targets to build within Amai Manabilang a 5,000-hectare of watershed restoration with Giant Bamboo, 1,250-hectare of reforestation with permanent indigenous forest trees, and 550 hectares from these will be allotted for Family Food Production for Alternative Crops.

In addition, in support of the normalization process and the provision of livelihood opportunities to the communities, the project envisions creating 2,450 jobs with priority employment from the MILF camps.

“The promotion of the preservation of biodiversity is also in the project,” says Forest Management Services Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan. “Now that we have just discovered the Begonia bangsamoro, we will be part of the preservation of that endangered species that is named after the Bangsamoro region.”

LDS BC further highlights that CBFRA ensures that “not one existing indigenous forest tree, either existing or to-be-planted, will ever be cut.” The boundaries of the project site and the creeks and river easements will also be reforested.

BUT WHY BAMBOO?

As presented by LDS BC, bamboo is accepted as a reforestation species for watershed restoration. While it absorbs excess rainfall to prevent flooding, the bamboo species also stabilizes the soil to prevent erosion. Harvest bamboo can be processed as well into many products, such as pulp and paper, tissue, and clothing.

Aside from the mentioned impact of the project, the CBFRA shall ultimately contribute to environmental vicegerency in the BARMM, social justice and well-being, promotion of culture and eco-tourism, and economic prosperity, with its overall outcome towards fostering moral governance in the Bangsamoro.

Joining Minister Macacua were Ministry of Interior and Local Government Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, MENRE Deputy Minister Akmad A. Brahim, Chief of Staff Alindatu K. Pagayao, Deputy Speaker Zia Alonto Adiong, Head of MDRRMO of Amai Manabilang Mr. Ramain Manabilang, Provincial Governor of Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong, and Elian Macala of BMKCI.