Rules and Regulations Governing the Establishment, Harvesting and Transport of Bamboo

DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-26

Subject: Rules and Regulations Governing the Establishment, Harvesting and Transport of Bamboo

Signed: August 2021 . Pages: 10

Legal Basis

Pursuant to Section 19 of PD 705 as amended (Revised Forestry Code), EO 318 s. 2004 (Promoting Sustainable Forest Management), EO 879 s. 2010 (Creation of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council), EO 193 s. 2015 (Expanding Coverage of the National Greening Program), Malacanang Memorandum Circular 30 s. 2012 (Implementation of Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Program), DAO 2004-16 (Revised Schedule for Administrative Fees), and DAO 2019-22 (Forestry Investment Roadmap).

SECTION 1. Basic Policy

It is the policy of the State to ensure the sustainable utilization, development, management, protection, and conservation of the country's forest and other natural resources including Non-Timber Forest Products for present and future generations, and to provide for a self-reliant and independent economy with equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth.

SECTION 2. Objectives

To encourage the establishment of bamboo plantations and promote sustainable use of bamboo as a wood substitute. Specifically:

1. Increase productivity, supply, and access to bamboo resources for the Philippine bamboo industry
2. Provide a system for sustainable harvesting, transport, and use of bamboo resources
3. Accommodate support activities such as research and development, processing, and marketing
4. Contribute to mitigating climate change impacts and attaining environmental stability

SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage

Covers all naturally grown bamboo stands, backyard farms, and plantations found within forest lands, agricultural lands (alienable and disposable), mineral lands, private titled lands, and ancestral lands. Excluded: bamboo plantations established under Department of Agriculture programs.

SECTION 4. Key Definitions

• Bamboo - perennial giant grass of family Poaceae, either erect or climbing; used for weaving, handicrafts, and house construction
• Bamboo Stand - bamboo plantation or natural stand; aggregate of clumps
• Bamboo Backyard Farming - operations with maximum of ten (10) bamboo clumps in a household backyard
• Bamboo Processing Enterprise - business converting bamboo poles for products including walls, panels, trusses, handicraft, novelty products (furniture, decors), and substitutes for wood (plywood, laminated bamboo, composites, pulp and paper)
• Certificate of Bamboo Plantation Registration - certificate issued by CENRO/Implementing PENRO serving as registration, harvesting, and transport permit (Annex A)
• Commercial Bamboo Production - management regime where commercial value of bamboo products/resources are enhanced over a specific rotation period

Source: User-uploaded official DENR PDF (DAO-2021-26, 10 pages, scanned). Full text including operational sections in source PDF.