The
agriculture-led economy of Guagua in the province of Pampanga
has long since been beset with problems on pollution, low
income, and unemployment. However, these problems were further
aggravated with the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in (year) which
spewed ash around Central Luzon, causing clogged irrigation
systems and changes in the soil’s pH level. These
would have left Guagua’s farmers completely devastated
had it not been for the municipal government’s timely
launching of a program to distribute seedlings of Ilang-Ilang
and Sampaguitas in 1989.
The
main goals of the program are to augment residents’
incomes, beautify the town, and control pollution. The municipal
government distributes the Ilang-Ilang and Sampaguita seedlings
to farmers and out-of-school youth. Ilang-Ilang seedlings
are given for free while the Sampaguita seedlings are given
on loan basis, payable within 18 months at minimal interest.
These farmers and out-of-school youth are encouraged to
propagate the seedlings and after a certain period of time,
the municipal government buys the plantable seedlings from
them for re-distribution to qualified and interested constituents.
This
program is simple and its income potential may seem low
but the numbers prove otherwise. The municipality says it
spends Php50,000 per year on the program and the 1,880 families
who participated in the program have collectively earned
an estimated Php48 million from the sale of the flowers.
One resident even claimed that with his 2,000 shrubs, he
earns Php1,000 daily. As expected, more townsfolk are planning
to get involved in the program.
Moving
forward, the municipality is looking to build an oil extraction
plant where floral scents and perfumes can be developed
to further benefit the city of Guagua.
Like
much of Central Luzon, Guagua was beset with pollution,
low income and unemployment problems when its agricultural
areas were showered with ash, which clogged irrigation systems
and changed the soil pH. This would have completely devastated
Guagua’s farmers, had it not been for the municipality’s
program, begun in 1989, to distribute seedlings of Ilang-Ilang/Sampaguita.
The
program is simple but effective. The main purpose is to
distribute and plant Ilang-Ilang and Sampaguita seedlings
in the municipality to augment incomes, beautify the town,
and control pollution. The municipality encourages farmers
and out-of-school youth to propagate the seedlings, and
then it buys the plantable seedlings from them and distributes
them to qualified and interested constituents. Ilang-ilang
is given free while sampaguita is given on loan basis payable
within 18 months at minimal interest.
Cost-benefit
ratios for Guagua’s program are nothing short of staggering.
The municipality says it spends P50,000 pesos per year on
the program, but the 1,880 families who participate in the
program have earned an estimated P48 million from the sale
of the flowers. Women as well as men and youth participate
actively in the propagation and sale of seedlings. One resident
with 2,000 shrubs says he earns P1,000 a day. As one might
expect, more townsfolk hope to get involved in the program
soon.
Ultimately,
the municipality hopes to build an oil extraction plant
where the essence of the flowers may be harvested to become
perfume and scents.
