MANGATAREM—If one day you begin to smell the heavenly scent of Ylang-ylang in a community, then you know you have reached the Second District of Pangasinan.

This town recently transplanted some 200,000 Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) seedlings and more are propagated in a nursery in Barangay Bueno here.

Since the start of the propagation of Ylang-ylang in July last year, 120 hectares (has.) of public land in Barangay Hacienda, Bugallon town, more than 100 has. in sitio Mapita, Barangay Laoag, Aguilar town and another 80 hectares in Barangay Bantocaling, Mangatarem have been planted to this tree by members of people’s organizations (POs).

The POs are assisted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through its National Greening Program.

Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, brainchild of the project on Ylang-ylang propagation for his constituents, with the help of his high school classmate and businessman Fred Reyes, one of the country’s top perfume distributors, said the seeds are abundantly available in Anao, Tarlac.

Reyes co- owns Philippines-based Chemworld Fragrance Factory that will buy the Ylang-ylang oil products of Pangasinan for local and export.

Reyes told Bataoil there is a big demand for Ylang-ylang oil in and outside the country.

It will take five years before the plants start to produce flowers with about 25 years life expectancy, Bataoil said.

“It’s a sure livelihood for our people engaged in it,” Bataoil said.

The congressman said the growing of Ylang-ylang would not be limited to the three towns as even other towns may also plant it provided they can conform with the specifications and their products would be sold to the company.

He said they will continue to plant Ylang-ylang and try to sustain its expansion.

Ylang-ylang is a tropical tree that is believed to have originated from the Philippines and is valued for its perfume. The essential oil derived from the flowers is used in aromatherapy.

Bataoil said his ylang-ylang project addresses three-fold: One is livelihood for his constituents especially the marginalized sectors. One tree yields a harvest of three kilos of flowers per week or about P180 worth, he said.

Another is for the world concern on climate change and this, with the National Greening Program, is a major responder, he said.

The third, Bataoil said, is to bring back the glory of Ylang-ylang production in the Philippines and to make the second district of Pangasinan the country’s major Ylang-ylang producer.

No less than Environment Secretary Gina Lopez came to the Ylang-ylang nursery here when she visited last month the Mangatarem Hot Spring.

“She got excited. She was too happy to learn about this,” Bataoil said. (Tita Roces)

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