In the hills of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, floods and soil erosion are real threats to farms, homes, and communities. But one woman has been quietly building a natural solution — armed not with machines, but with Philippine Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper).
Ma’am Myrna Decipulo, retired government worker and locally known as the Mother of the Giant Bamboo, has spent decades propagating bamboo on her family land. Together with her late husband Sir Bert, she built a nursery that has distributed nearly a million bamboo propagules across the Philippines, training farmers, indigenous communities, and LGUs in sustainable planting techniques.
Bamboo isn’t just an ordinary plant. Its dense root system stabilizes soil, absorbs rainwater, and reduces runoff, making it a natural shield against floods and landslides. Its rapid growth, regenerative properties, and carbon-storing ability make it a key player in climate adaptation — a role recognized by initiatives like Rizome Bamboo Reforestation.
Ma’am Myrna has also served as Principal Trainer in PhilCapNet’s climate adaptation programs, teaching indigenous leaders how to plant bamboo sustainably, intercrop with food crops, and create value-added products like furniture and handicrafts.
Her work has gained the support of Sir Manny Piñol, former Agriculture Secretary and a long-time champion of sustainable agriculture even after leaving office. His ongoing advocacy has amplified Ma’am Myrna’s impact, encouraging more farmers and LGUs to adopt bamboo as both environmental infrastructure and a source of livelihood.
Through her nursery and training programs, she has built a network of empowered farmers and communities, turning bamboo planting into a movement — a living, growing solution to climate change, soil degradation, and local poverty.
This is flood defense, climate adaptation, and economic opportunity rolled into one green powerhouse, led by a woman whose decades of dedication have made her a national figure in sustainable farming.
For authentic Philippine Giant Bamboo propagules, reach out to:
Myrna Decipulo @0919-700-8002
Rose Parillo @0917-114-6762
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