LEGAZPI CITY – RD Guillermo A. Molina, Jr. IV has directed operating mines in the Bicol Region to commit twenty percent (20%) of their final mining area to bamboo plantation as part of the rehabilitation strategies of the operating mines consistent with the directive from the MGB Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano based on MGB Memorandum dated June 11, 2020 to establish and maintain bamboo plantation of the mined-out areas of Contractors/Permittees/Permit Holders.
Abiding by the said Memorandum, the following mining companies have committed areas for the bamboo plantation which represents 20% of their final mining area, namely:
- Masbate Gold Project – 1,000 hectares;
- Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation – 135 hectares
- UBS Marketing Coporation – 55 hectares
- Johson Gold Mining Corporation – 2 hectares;
- Orophil Stonecraft Inc. – 28 hectares
This bamboo plantation program aims to develop and rehabilitate critical areas and areas prone to erosion in order to improve and enhance the natural defenses and resilience of areas against the impacts of climate change. Further, it seeks to uplift the lives of the people through livelihood opportunities offered by the blooming bamboo industry to further mitigate poverty, while it enhances climate change adaptation towards environmental stability.