IN SITIO MAPITA, BRGY LAOAG, AGUILAR

AGUILAR—After residents of Sitio Mapita, Brgy. Laoag in this town enjoyed the benefit a ‘bright’ Christmas last year, with the completion of the electrification project in their area, a major economic activity will be introduced to the barangay comprising of three tribal communities.

Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, who visited the barangay a year after his electrification project was completed, gave the three tribal communities – Ibaloi, Kankana-ey, Bago – the good news that an investor plans to set up an ilang-ilang (cananga odorata) plantation in their barangay.

Bataoil disclosed that his classmate from high school who now co-owns a perfume company plans to put up an ilang-ilang plantation in the sitio, which will be designated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He said Chemworld Fragrance Factory is in need of regular supply of ilang-ilang oil as raw material which it presently imports from other countries like Thailand.

The congressman stressed that the ilang-ilang plantation will be a community effort and that no one will be displaced or relocated.

In a subsequent interview, Fred Reyes, co-owner of Chemworld, confirmed the plan to invest in the ilang-ilang plantation project in Sitio Mapita.

He said there is a big demand for ilang-ilang flowers in the country.

While ilang-ilang originated in the Philippines, and its variety is considered the best, Reyes said “wrong way of production” hampered the development of the local ilang-ilang industry.

He said the Comoro Islands in Africa is now the top ilang-ilang producer in the world.

Reyes said his company wants to start the project next year and since ilang-ilang takes five years to bear flowers, alternative activities for livelihood will be planned for the farmers.

Since excavation and extraction will be done by the members of the tribes, Reyes said, “We want the farmers to have a sense of ownership of the plantation.” He added, “Even the distribution facility, we want the people to run it.”

He said they will simply provide technology and other resources.

The community headed by tribal chieftain Rodolfo Mallari was elated by the new opportunity being created for them.

Presently, the community produces high-quality fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, papayas, and Baguio beans comparable to that of the Baguio yields.

The members of the community originated from the Cordilleras. They left their homes due to tribal conflicts and founded their own community in the town n 1960s.

One of the country’s premier food corporation sources its supply of tomato from them.

Meanwhile, Bataoil disclosed, he has recommended a P6-million worth road network project going towards Sitio Mapita to help further in the community development.

“I want to promote this as a model community,” he said of the tribal community living in one of the coolest and beautiful places in the province. –Johanne Macob

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