LINGAYEN— Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil is looking at more areas to be planted with ilang-ilang seedlings, not just for livelihood purposes but to help battle climate change.

He said the ilang-ilang plantations is inline with the government National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the purpose of helping mitigate the impact of climate change.

Mr. Bataoil said some areas in the towns of Bugallon and Mangatarem are now planted with ilang-ilang.

Last September, the Hacienda Community Livelihood Association, a people’s organization, planted ilang-ilang seedlings in the120 hectares of land in Barangay (village) Hacienda in Bugallon.

In Mangatarem, ilang-ilang plantations are being developed in Barangays Bantokaling and Muelag.

Mr. Bataoil said there are ongoing talks with the Society of Aguilar Environmentalists of Pangasinan (SAGUEP) to plant ilang-ilang initially in 300 hectares of land in Brgy. Laoag in Aguilar.

“This is to complete our target 1000 hectares of ilang-ilang plantation in the second district,” he said.

The ilang-ilang plantation project seeks to provide a sustainable livelihood for the communities involved.

Businessman Fred Reyes, Bataoil’s high school classmate and the owner of the the Chemworld Fragrance Factory, had visited the plantation sites and said there is a big demand for ilang-ilang oil in and outside the country.

As planned, Pangasinan will produce ilang-ilang oil for fragrance manufacturing companies in the Philippines and overseas, particularly in France.

Mr. Bataoil, recently the guest of honor and speaker at the flag raising ceremony of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite last week, said he shared his ilang-ilang project and how it helps communities.

He pledged to donate truckloads of plantable ilang-ilang seedlings to be planted in almost 56 hectares of vacant lot inside the academy.”(Johanne Macob)

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