Speeches of the CEO and the COO

To our Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr.; Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.; DOST Undersecretary for Special Concerns Teodoro Gatchalian; DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang; Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe; Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Bernardo Alejandro IV; Governor Lala Taliño-Mendoza, General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao; Provincial and Regional Directors; other public sector representatives; colleagues from the private sector; ladies and gentlemen—good afternoon.

I am honored to stand before you today to talk about Green Resilience and the potentials of the bamboo as an economic resource and a disaster management tool. I would like to thank the Department of Science and Technology Region XII headed by RD Malawan, for giving us an opportunity to share with you our work at Kilambay Plantation Corporation or KPC.

KPC is an agricultural service company provider founded in 2011. We initially began our journey as a seedling nursery operator in Carmen, Cotabato, where we also grew into a corporation who has since been committed to fostering sustainable solutions to agricultural development and building industries through a community-based approach. We are focused on nurturing the environment while also supporting local communities through employment opportunities. At the heart of our operation lies our top priority—fostering inclusive growth by putting our indigenous partners' welfare on the frontline and being an active contributor to the government's environmental initiatives.

I developed a passion for this line of work because I, too, am a farmer. I understand the plight of Filipino farmers and the challenges they face as farming becomes modernized and more demanding because of latest technology and current environmental hurdles. I have been working in the agricultural industry for more than 20 years and is primarily involved in organic coconut farming, organic cardaba banana farming, oil palm, and now, the bamboo sector. Giant bamboo plantation is the most recent venture of KPC.

As I have mentioned, farmers like us are currently facing environmental hurdles caused by climate change such as temperature changes that affect our crops, resulting to reduced yields; water scarcity that reduces our water supply for irrigation; unpredictable rainfall and shifts in growing seasons leading to mismatches between crop growth cycles and the availability of water, sunlight, and nutrients; soil degradation; pest and disease proliferation that affects both crops and livestock; and most importantly, food security. All these challenges that contribute to reduced yields threaten our food supply chains, which later leads to massive inflation and food shortages that will affect the entire population and the Philippine economy.

Given these negative impacts, it is crucial for us, the private sector, as well as the public sector to work hand-in-hand in fostering green resilience. In recent years, there have been a growing global trend focused on building resilient economies. Having a resilient economy equates to possessing the economic capability to properly handle pandemics, climate change, political upheavals, and other diverse challenges. According to the 2024 report of the FM Global Resilience Index[1], countries such as Denmark, Luxembourg, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and Central US are the top 10 most resilient countries. As you have noticed, only one country in Asia belonged to the top 10—Singapore. Therefore, it is important for us, Asian countries, to start building resilient economies now.

Due to our geographical location, Asian countries face several unique challenges such as high exposure to climate risks; demographic pressures caused by increasing and aging population; energy scarcity; and supply chain disruptions, among others. Now is the time for us to implement comprehensive strategies that integrate sustainability, innovation, social equity, and good governance to better adapt to our changing environment.

At Kilambay Plantation Corporation, we contribute to building resilience from one community to the next through the provision of nature-based solutions and creation of local economic opportunities. Our giant bamboo plantation contributes to carbon sequestration, erosion control, and habitat restoration. We implement initiatives that help restore degraded, logged over forests to rebuild biodiversity, improve soil health, and protect water resources. Our project also generates employment opportunities for indigenous communities such as the Erumanen ne Menuvu tribe of Cotabato. In coordination with their Ancestral Domain Management Office, we directly employ staff and field workers both for administrative and plantation work from our indigenous partners, thereby providing them a stable source of income so that they will no longer cut trees or perform slash-and-burn method to earn a living. Instead, together with KPC, they will cultivate giant bamboo and harness its potentials to support their families.

Currently, KPC already employed 400 IP staff and field workers, and we will be hiring more, and they are all paid based on our country's fair labor standards. As of last year, on the 4 months we were able to operate last year, we were able to plant 1,000 hectares of giant bamboo in Sitio Gawasan, Barangay Bentangan, Carmen, North Cotabato. And will continue to plant more with the approval of new certification precondition approved by our National Commission on Indigenous Peoples through the FPIC process. To note, these IP areas are previously conflict areas visited frequently by man-made disasters, but now, these communities are empowered. And we are inspired by these challenges, man-made or natural, to create opportunities for our IP communities.

Bamboo has numerous practical uses that make it an important economic resource and a disaster management tool. We are fortunate that our lands here in Mindanao are viable and very well suited for growing bamboo. It can reach maturity within 3-5 years due to its rapid growth cycle, making it a steady and renewable supply of raw materials.

Aside from these economic benefits, bamboo also makes for a great disaster management tool. The extensive and robust root networks of giant bamboo help bind soil, preventing erosion on slopes and riverbanks. With this, I encourage all disaster-prone LGUs to begin planting bamboo in areas susceptible to landslides and soil degradation. As compared to other plants and trees, bamboo can also absorb more carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change and can be an additional source of revenue for growers who might be interested in the voluntary carbon credit market. To reduce the impact of heavy rains that cause flooding in many areas, bamboo can also be used to construct barriers and levees to manage floodwaters. Also, due to its strength, it can be used to construct earthquake-resistant infrastructures. According to a study conducted in Nepal[2], one of the most seismically active regions in the world, 85% of Nepalese households used bamboo for pillars, poles, and other supporting materials to hold and adjust roofing and wall materials during the time of disasters. Similarly, its ability to bend without breaking makes it an ideal material for infrastructures located in areas prone to strong winds and cyclones.

With sufficient support from both local and national government, we can put the Philippines at the centerstage of the global bamboo industry by focusing on empowering our existing bamboo-based industries. Bamboo's versatility and strength makes it a valuable construction material, which is currently in demand, especially abroad. Currently, India and China are the top 2 bamboo producers in the world[3], but through the collaborative efforts of the public and private sector, I am confident that the Philippines can one day be included in the list of top bamboo producers in the world.

In fostering a circular economy and reducing plastic waste that contributes to environmental degradation, bio-based products may also be created out of bamboo like bioplastics, bio-composites, and biomass that can be used as raw materials in producing substitutes for fossil fuel. At the local level, social groups such as those composed of low-income families may also use bamboo to produce furniture and various handicrafts that can be sold in domestic and international markets. Bamboo fibers, on the other hand, can be processed into textiles, offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fabrics. Additionally, bamboo pulp can be used to produce papers that will help reduce our reliance on wood-based paper sources. Due to the growing international demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, countries with established bamboo industries can capitalize on this trend to boost their trade balances. High value engineered bamboo products and specialty crafts may also be created which generate higher profits.

Overall, bamboo stands out as a multifaceted resource with substantial economic and disaster management potentials. It is also more affordable and accessible than conventional construction materials. We can replace wood with bamboo. Thus, I would like to use this opportunity to call on our government leaders to join us and support bamboo-based initiatives that will help the Philippines become more resilient and economically developed. Bamboo growers like us are in need of technological and financial support to bridge gaps and continue implementing programs that support local communities. If you look at the slides, those are AI-powered slotting machines that can make 95% of our bamboo converted into an engineered bamboo. We also need more R&D so that our level of quality of bamboo are at par with wood products. We hope that these qualities will be implemented to strengthen R&D and develop the entire bamboo value chain so that industry priorities will be aligned, and farmers' outputs will have consistent market access.

From our end, KPC will always have its doors open for collaboration with the government and the private sector, especially in matters involving reforestation and afforestation. Together, let us improve the way Filipinos cultivate bamboo, create new industries, and foster sustainable economic growth that will benefit our next generation. We hope KPC's contributions will make a difference in green resilience.

Maayong hapon at daghang salamat!

Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan. Good morning po. I am here today as the Chief Operating Officer of Kilambay Plantation Corporation. To start, I would like to acknowledge DOST Undersecretary for Special Concerns Dr. Teodoro Gatchalian, good morning po. To DOST Regional Director Engr. Sammy Malawan, ang pinaka langga na to nga Mayor sang banwa sang Carmen, Mayor Rogelio Taliño, to our 3rd District  Representative Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño-Santos, to Chairman and partner of KPC Mr. Cito Lorenzo, at kay Ma'am Datukan, maayong buntag po. As well as our partner sa Serbisyong Totoo, to the board members, mayors, public officials, and private partners—a good morning to you all.

I am deeply honored to represent Kilambay Plantation Corporation as its COO, and stand before you on this momentous occasion, as we gather for this historic event—Mindanao's Guinness World Record attempt for Most People Planting Bamboo Simultaneously Across Multiple Venues.

This green initiative, spearheaded by the DOST, is not just about setting a record, but also about making a statement that represents unity and hope for this generation, and more to come.

At KPC, we've always believed in the power of bamboo as a vital solution to combat the disintegrating effects of climate change. And not only that, let me share with you that through our giant bamboo project, we were able to provide livelihood opportunities to our IP brothers and sisters, starting with Carmen, Cotabato and now we are expanding slowly to President Roxas, and hopefully Arakan. As of date, we've been able to employ and provide livelihood to our indigenous brothers and sisters. Timuey, maayong buntag po.  400 staff and field workers, all from their communities. This only proves that bamboo is not just a plant, but is an important asset in our collective fight for a sustainable planet, and sustainable society.

This record attempt is a first of its own, and I believe that through our shared efforts, we are not only setting a record today but an example for the generations to come. Together, we are planting the seeds of change, quite literally.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to DOST, the Provincial Government of Cotabato, private sector partners, the Diocese of Kidapawan, to the Rotary Club of Mt. Apo, and all our partners present today, this event would have not been possible. To everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including the staff, your hard work is an inspiration to us all, and we will witness the fruits of your labor today.

As we come together to plant bamboo, let us remember that this is not only the beginning. Let's continue to take part in government initiatives, as well as private, aimed at protecting and nurturing the environment. Each tree planted, and each bamboo we nurture, is a gift for the future generations. Dili lang sa atoang karon.

Let us keep this momentum going! Together, let's plant bamboo, create a greener world, and let's make history today! Maraming salamat po.