The Bamboo Plantation and Development Program in the City of San Fernando is one of the prototype livelihood projects in La Union being successfully implemented under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Community Livelihood Assistance Special Program (DENR- CLASP).
The City Government of San Fernando takes the active initiative in establishing bamboo plantations that will serve as major source of raw materials to boost its bamboo furniture and handicraft industry and takes the lead role in the realization of making La Union the Bamboo Capital of the North.
Bamboo cultivation is viewed not only as an effective tool in forest resources management but also for countryside development as this addresses the need of upland areas like food and shelter. Bamboo industry provides employment opportunities and promotes continuous productivity and growth of resource- based industry thereby, uplifting the socio-economic status of upland communities. It also plays a significant role in socio-economic development and ranks among the dollar earning exports in the country.
A 20-hectare bamboo plantation in the city was established through DENR- CLASP. The beneficiaries of the project are People’s Organization of four barangays namely: the Abut Weavers Association, Bato Farmers Association, Namtutan Farmers Association and Saoay Farmers Association.
The project is remarkably gaining success based from the results of periodic evaluation and monitoring of the project. The collaborative partnership of the DENR-LGUs-POs has paved the way for better utilization of resources, synchronized and unified efforts towards the attainment of the goal. The project management is created through the DENR and provincial government of La Union responsible in terms of technological and managerial skills. The Local Government Unit (LGU)- City of San Fernando is the partner in governance and the People’s Organization (PO) are the direct beneficiaries with labor contribution as their counterpart in the project. The continued conduct of skills and capability building to the beneficiaries of the project has empowered them on the management of their nurseries and plantations.
Moreover, the incentive planting scheme of the DENR and the financial assistance offered by the City Government to the four POs have significantly contributed in the gradual success of the program as it elicited the active support and participation of the POs who are the key role players of the program. |
Naguilian River Basin Development Project
