The Department of Trade and Industry-Region 12 (DTI 12) led the creation of the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Bamboo Council through a blended session on August 5, participated by provincial bamboo council officers and members, national government agencies, and non-government organizations such as Mahintana Foundation, Inc. The organizational meeting gathered bamboo stakeholders of the region to form a body responsible for consolidating the interests and concerns of its members, plan for the regional direction of the industry, and raise industry concerns to specific agencies. The organizational meeting resulted with DTI 12 as the chair and Mahintana Foundation Inc. as co-chair along with the provincial government of Sarangani as the vice-chair for the Region 12 Bamboo Council.Part of the council’s next steps include small group meetings to consult stakeholders for the synchronization of inter-agency plans and to localize the bamboo roadmap. The Department of Environment and Natural Resource – Region 12 expressed support for the endeavor. “Rest assured that DENR will support our partner non-government agencies (NGA’s) on their bamboo initiatives for sustainable development,” said DENR Conservation Development Chief Ali M. Hadjinasser. The council prepares for a series of activities for the World Bamboo Day on 18th of September 2021.
