In recognition of a 15-year-old department order.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), it will begin the distribution of bamboo-made school furniture in February, in accordance to the Executive Order No. 879, s. 2010—which states that 20% of furniture must be made of the said material.
The department said that they will be sending out more than 144,000 sets of tables for students and over 3,000 for teachers, which will primarily replace old, damaged, or most-used sets that have already worn out.
DepEd also stressed that the distribution will also mean that the policy would finally be enforced, more than 15 years after it was set be previous administrators.
It noted that it is only being applied now for the procurement and delivery, with the department opting for strong and climate-resilient engineered bamboo, which will be effective for reaching sustainability, as well as helping local industries.
“Matagal na itong polisiya. Pero, ngayon ay binibigyang-buhay natin ito. For the first time in history, naipatutupad na natin ang mandatory 20% bamboo allocation sa school furniture,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
He continued, “Gusto naming ipakita na puwedeng maging matibay, sustainable, at de-kalidad ang school furniture para sa ating learners at teachers. Kasabay nito, napo-promote din natin ang Tatak Pinoy, na matagal na nating isinusulong—isang pagkilala sa galing at husay ng mga Pilipino.”
