The Philippines, being a disaster prone country, especially to typhoons and earthquakes, is vulnerable to various infrastructure damage. As a matter of fact, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda has damaged over a million houses, around half of them, completely destroyed, and amounting to approximately 89 billion pesos (5 billion USD). When observing the architecture of the city here in Manila, modern western style housing has been implemented, a design that lacks sustainability and resilience most of the materials consist of concrete and glass in the provinces. Bamboo however, is a solution.
Not only is bamboo great as a weather proof and disaster proof source for construction due to its flexibility, strength, and tube like shape, it?s also light and, therefore, easy to transport from place to place. It has a 35% higher oxygen emission than trees and a 40% carbon dioxide absorption rate as well. No worry for extinction is also needed as bamboo is widespread in many areas and can even grow up to over a meter in a day. As evidence, all 20 bamboo houses in the epicenter of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Costa Rica and when three typhoons hit the Cook Islands, a group of bamboo houses survived as well.
The issue is, bamboo as a housing material is not advocated or promoted by the Philippine government and its agencies. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) by the National Risk Reduction Council only states that for disaster prevention and mitigation, training programs should be enforced to spread awareness in institutes around Manila, gather materials in aid when disaster does strike and also conduct research programs on what is best to solve the issue. Overall, such campaigns and policies are lacking and unclear. What could be an even more viable solution is what is mentioned previously and if this seemingly unknown issue is spread to the government or even to any such community, action may come sooner than expected and hopefully, before another natural disaster arrives. However, the government may need to legislate and actively promote such uses for more concrete benefits. Even the slightest awareness on bamboo as a sustainable, disaster proof source for construction and when enough knowledge is attained, change will come. Why not spread the word? | | | |
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7 Comments
Wow what an idea. In our loccality, bamboo are used for making constructiin pillar. There are so many Bamboo cottages beautifully constructed . These bamboo cottages are mainky used jn hotels and restaurants and also to design Party Palace. Like wise there is one school network which completely construct School using bamboo only. I had always doubt about its sustanability but your report cleared it out.Amazingingly written report Adam
Posted 14-03-2016 21:13
Wow! What a unique idea! Bamboo is actually a great alternative to the earthquake and Typhoon problem as you propose, Adam. I agree with Minjoo. Many other governments should also look into this awesome possibility!
Posted 14-03-2016 01:17
Nice one, Adam! Aside from that, Bamboo has short rotation cycle but long productive span, hence, it can be harvested much faster than hardwood species that we commonly utilized for construction. A lot of people, here in the Philippines, have been trying rebuild the industry of Non-timber Forest Products (which include bamboo, rattan, etc.) to what it used to be in the past (i.e. According to our NTFP course, back in 1980's, rattan industry alone generated 15,000 jobs for rural citizens and generated 60 million pesos). So, this recommendation of the NDRRMC is surely a big movement for the country's environmental welfare, alongside economic stability.
Posted 13-03-2016 10:52
Hi Adam, thanks for sharing your opinion. Unlike the positive comments you have so far, I am doubtful of the future usage of bamboos as building material. Well, if you're talking about simple constructions like tents, I see no reason not to use bamboos. However, when it comes to buildings that are built to last... I am not sure. Just because it is from the nature doesn't mean people should take it over safety, that is my view for now. Thank you for sharing your different perspective though!
Posted 12-03-2016 21:58
Adam, bamboo can be used for various purposes, and it is impressive that it can also work as an excellent construction material. I am curious why the government is not actively pursuing its usage. There must be education, constructioning program, campaigns for buliding more bamboo made houses, which is both eco-friendly and resistant to disasters. Keep up the good work :-)
Posted 12-03-2016 21:20
Thanks for emphasising the unique properties of Bamboo which makes it one of the most sustainable raw material for construction. This needs to be promoted so that builders, governments, companies and consumers all take note of it and start using it for the sake of environment.
Posted 12-03-2016 18:40
Sorry for the late post, I put this in another forum. Hope you learn something new!
Posted 12-03-2016 17:48