APECO, KAPWA SIGN AGREEMENT TO DEVELOP 5,000 HECTARES OF LAND INTO BAMBOO PLANTATION

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has secured a P1.2 billion investment from an agro-forestry corporation that will develop 5,000 hectares of the government property into a bamboo plantation.

APECO signed a memorandum of understanding with Kapwa Agroforestry Corporation (Kapwa) at SEDA Hotel in BGC, Taguig, tapping together the local community to showcase the Filipino world-class bamboos that will create a wide range of value-added products such as textiles, furniture and even structural construction materials.

According to APECO president and chief executive officer (CEO) attorney Gil Taway, bamboo nowadays is renowned for its versatility and sustainability as it holds immense potential as a key driver of economic development and environmental conservation.

“APECO, as an economic zone, is leading by example – to show the nation what is possible when we prioritize sustainability and cooperation over short-term gains. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to fostering public-private partnerships that drive positive change for the Filipino people. Our true strength is built upon the involvement and passion of our community,” Taway said.

Taway added that the partnership will create new opportunities for economic growth and job creation while contributing to the preservation of the region’s natural resources and biodiversity.

“By promoting the sustainable cultivation and utilization of bamboo, APECO and Kapwa aim to set a new standard for eco-friendly and socially responsible industry practices, proving that growth does not have to come at the expense of the environment and community,” Taway said.

Kapwa president and CEO Pax Doromal expressed confidence that bamboo products will soon be a replacement for wood that has become scarce and expensive.

“Bamboo will soon be a replacement for wood as a building material,” Doromal said.

According to Doromal, the project is in the feasibility study phase.

He said based on the plan, they will be planting an average of around 330 clumps of bamboo to be maintained and develop it for the next five years.

“After five years, we will be harvesting. . .  actually pruning, kasi we will not do tear-cutting, hindi natin uubusin ‘yung tinanim natin. . . we will only harvest six to eight post per clump, so that gives us around some 2,000 plus poles per hectare na mapo-produce. . ..  so sa 5,000 hectares, medyo significant ‘yung volume na mapo-produce natin,” Doromal said.

According to APECO Community Relations Office (CRO) chief Luzed Anne Jandoc, the 5,000 hectares of bamboo plantation will give job opportunity to the locals, most especially the Agta community and the Aeta of Casiguran, since they will be able to have their own income from the course of plantation up to the processing stage.

“Yung nakakalbong watersheds magkakaroon ng reforestations, but of course … magkakaroon po sila ng income opportunity because we don’t need qualification, educational requirements. . . as long as they can plant,” Jandoc stressed.

Kapwa is APECO’s fourth investor after the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation; Amaris Energy and the APG International Aviation Academy (APGIAA).

APECO is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) located in Casiguran, Aurora.