Abra: With its abundant natural resource, the prospects of the bamboo industry remain high and are expected to provide livelihood and income to many Abreños. This was gleaned during the Kawayan Festival over the weekend, which became an avenue for cooperation between the people and local government unit (LGU) officials. According to Philippines News Agency, the acting Governor Russel Bragas emphasized the importance of bamboo not only as a festival symbol but also as a crucial source of livelihood and identity for the community. In an interview on Tuesday, Bragas revealed ongoing discussions with the provincial environment officer aimed at reviving the bamboo forests. Stakeholders in Abra's bamboo industry are engaged in producing handcrafted items such as baskets, chairs, hats, bags, and other household goods. The province also hosts the bamboo fiber innovation hub of the Philippine Textile Research Institute, an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology. This hub is envisioned to produce not only raw bamboo fibers but also threads for fabrics, complementing the province's flourishing weaving industry. Bragas highlighted the role of various government offices in promoting Abra's bamboo crafts, stressing the necessity of supporting the industry by ensuring the steady supply of raw materials. The rising prices of raw bamboo, now at approximately PHP250 per pole, present a lucrative opportunity for growers. Plans are underway to start planting new bamboo before the onset of the rainy season. In addition to municipalities using bamboo for regreening activities, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is producing propagules, and potential partnerships with them are being considered. Bragas credited the success of the 2025 Kawayan Festival to the unity and cooperation of local officials, despite limited preparation time. The festival saw increased participation in all events, with full support from municipalities, mayors, and barangay officials. Highlights included the farmers ' float parade, street dancing parade, and the grand float parade featuring various municipalities.