Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Bamboo of Unlimited Uses

Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has invited EF to participate in a public hearing on the proposed “Amendatory Ordinance No. 04 – 016”. This is the ordinance regulating the transportation of bamboos in the entire Province of Aklan.

The public hearing was held at 10:00 o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, June 26 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan. Much as I love to attend but I was unable to attend as I had  prior schedule with my physician on the same date in Quezon City. I regret to have missed the said public hearing. 

However, I am pleased to offer my thoughts on the proposed Amendatory Ordinance.

It is not strange to us Akeanons what bamboo is. It is widely ground in the whole province of Aklan especially in Libacao, Madalag, Balete, Malinao, Lezo, Ibajay, and Banga.

There are three (3) species grown in Aklan. The most popular is “Butong” grown in commercial quantity. Butong is widely used for the construction of houses, furniture, perimeter fence, foot bridge, and in fish pens among others.

Its young shoots are used as food like vegetables and pickles. Bamboo is used as musical instrument like the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. 

Another specie is “Ano-no-o”, more durable than butong but it is spiny that discourages landowners to grow it. Moreover, it is late maturing. 

The third specie is “Kawayan”. This is growing wild as it does not grow bigger than two (2") inches in diameter and about 8-10 feet long. 

Amendment

The amendments to the said Provincial Ordinance No. 04-016 are recom-mended by the Provincial Price Coordinating Council of Aklan (PPCC). Is this PPCC price oriented and production of goods and its producers are the least of their concern? 

Anyway, here are the provisions the PPCC recommended:

1. Section 1 of the Provincial Ordinance No. 04 – 016 is hereby amended by adding a provision of Article 2 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA7394) which is the declaration of basic policy providing that it is the policy of the State to protect the interest of the consumer, promote the welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry.

Here, the PPCC recommends to add a provision in RA 7394. This cannot be done as SP is not mandated to amend any provision of a national law viz avis RA 7394.

2. Provincial Ordinance No. 04-016 prohibits the transport of bamboo poles from 6:00 to 9:00 o’clock in the morning and from 4:30 to 6:30 in the evening from Monday to Friday. The PPCC recommends prohibiting the transport of bamboo poles from 6:00 to 9:00 o’clock in the morning, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening, Monday to Sunday or daily. These amendments will limit the sales and utilization of bamboos as the distribution time is limited. This is detrimental to the bamboo industry.

Are Saturdays, Sundays and holidays rush hours? These proposed amendments when approved will impede the growth, utilization and development of the bamboo industries.

3. The PPCC will also allow the use of 10 wheeler vehicles in the transport of bamboo poles. Bamboos are grown and produced in the barangays. The 10 wheeler trucks must never be allowed in the growth areas of bamboos to prevent damages to the barangay roads. Bamboos must be hauled from the production center to the distribution center by four wheeled vehicles, then to the consumers via the tricycles. 

4. The PPCC also recommends the ordinance to take effect all over Aklan when Provincial Ordinance No. 04-016 covers only Banga, Kalibo, and Numancia. Are there rush hours in Libacao, Madalag, Lezo, Malinao and Buruanga?

Provincial Ordinance No. 04-016 was approved on November 4, 2004, therefore it has been effective for the last seven (7) years, seven (7) months and 20 days as of July 7, 2012.

For almost seven and eight (8) months, the ordinance is effective, how many apprehensions are made? Violators found guilty? Jailed or fined? If none, then this ordinance is only a piece of paper and cannot be implemented. Why enact an ordinance if it cannot be enforced? Bamboo is the crop of the majority of Aklanons, of unlimited uses.  /MP