Why can't indigenous materials be used for building houses?

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Many of the structures put up in resorts and for housing tourist facilities in the Philippines I find are made of bamboo and other durable indigenous materials. And they look great too. So why can't more of these materials be used for building?

Bamboo grows fast and abundantly in the Philippines. It is also well suited for the tropical climate as it does not rot or deteriorate the same way other building materials do under the oppressive humidity of the tropics.

Perhaps cultivating bamboo for use in construction of low-cost housing and the training of builders in the lost art of constructing using bamboo should be something promoted for inclusion in government poverty alleviation programs and in the public education system.

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