Gov. Pineda along with board members Jun Dimson, Fritzie David-Dizon, Monz Laus, Trina Dizon, Army Col. Catapang, Police Dir. Edgar Tinio and Barangay Chief Victoria Sarmiento inspect sampaguita saplings.
Photo by Bong Lacson
(First of a two-part series)
LUBAO, Pampanga – Gov. Lilia Pineda has pushed for the improvement of the Sampaguita livelihood industry here, saying it’s “a lifetime business assuring a family’s bright future.”
Pineda led on Monday the second distribution of the total 4,000 Sampaguita seedlings in barangay San Roque Dau 2nd here. She and her daughter, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, earlier distributed the same seedlings at nearby Barangay San Roque Dau 1st.
Pineda appeared elated when she heard the testimonies of long-time Sampaguita growers, including incumbent and former barangay councilors.
FLOWERS OF HOPE
“My three children are graduates, one of whom is an engineer. Thanks to the Sampaguita business which allowed us to raise decently a family,” said Dau San Roque 2nd Councilor Danilo Ramos in the dialect.
For his part, Dau San Roque 2nd Councilor Mamerto Cabaez said “two of my three children have finished accountancy courses.”
Cabaez said he had maintained a 600-square-meter lot with some 400 full-grown Sampaguitas. He added that he and his children had worked at their Sampaguita farm.
“We earn between P1,000 to P2,000 a day,” said Cabaez. He added that the industry is at its peak from May to August.
Cabaez disclosed that they spend at least P3,000 for fertilizers to maintain their farm.
“But we only apply fertilizers once in a while and not monthly. So we don’t really spend that much on maintaining the Sampaguitas,” added Cabaez.
In interview with other Sampaguita growers, they said “one time a farmer earned P23,000 in one week.”
They added the farmer from Dau San Roque 2nd had at least 1,000 Sampaguitas in a 1,000 square-meter-farm.
“It was a good timing. The demand was high and he had the supply,” they said.
GOV, MAYOR LAUDED
Mary Michelle Quiambao, provincial head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), lauded Pineda and local officials led by the Lubao mayor for launching the project.
Quiambao said “the challenge now is in convincing the old farmers to adapt to new technologies to help maximize their production and profit.”
Quiambao vowed to support the industry by providing new technology and ways to improve their production.
For her part, Mayor Cayabyab thanked the provincial government for launching “another livelihood opportunity for the people of Lubao.”
Cayabyab also recognized the assistance of the national agencies such as the DOST and asked for their continuous support.
(to be continued)
