Big demand for PHL Ilang-ilang cited
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
BUGALLON– The far-flung village in this town called Hacienda will yet soon make history, reclaiming the title as the source of abundant Ilang-ilang (cananga odorata) in the world.
Thus claimed businessman Fred Reyes, owner of the Fragrance Factory, who noted that in the 18th century, Manila produced the best Ilang-ilang but eventually the industry died as foreigners took samples of the product and started to commercially produce ilang-ilang in their respective countries, particularly in Madagascar and Comoro Islands.
The plant originated in the Philippines but the top Ilang-ilang producer in the world at present is the Comoros Island.
He encouraged farmers to plant more Ilang-ilang in the province, pointing out that there is a great demand in local and world market, particularly France, for the Ilang-ilang oil.
In his recent visit to the Ilang-ilang nursery in Brgy. Hacienda with 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) foresters, and the people’s organization, Reyes said “This is more than reforestation, we are creating history.”
“We have to bring back to the Philippines what was rightfully ours,” he said, and to do it, there should be about 1,000 hectares of Ilang-ilang plantation.
To bolster his claim, he cited Chanel No. 5, the best-selling perfume in the world, is sourced from Ilang-ilang oil.
Bataoil said farmers in other towns may opt to plant Ilang-ilang and supply the fragrant oil to Reyes’s company, provided that they conform with specifications on the pruning and in the use of all organic fertilizer.
According to Mar Gonzales of the DENR- City Environment and Natural Resources Office, there are 120 hectares of Ilang-ilang plantation under the National Greening Program (NGP).
The nursery in Hacienda is just one of the three nursery areas in the second district identified by the DENR for the project. Other nurseries are in Sitio Mapita , Brgy. Laoag in Aguilar, and in Brgy. Quetegan, Mangatarem.
A budget worth P3.42 million for a three-year comprehensive site development agreement with the people’s organizations in the said areas, has been allocated for the project.
The first year, which is on plantation establishment, has P14,000 allocation per hectare; the second year has P3,000 and the third year has P2,000.
“After three years, DENR will award the 180-hectare lot to the people under the community-based forest management agreement with 25-year term and renewable for another term,” he added.
He also noted that the second district plantation is the only NGP- Ilang-ilang in the entire region.
Bataoil said thousands of coconut trees will be planted as perimeter fence of the nursery areas.
The nursery in Hacienda is being tended by the Hacienda Community Livelihood Association, which has 78 members led by president Jane Quillopas. (Johanne Macob)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
