Secretary Panganiban urges Ilocanos: Continue planting malunggay

VIGAN CITY —Secretary Domingo Panganiban of the National Anti-Poverty Commission has urged local officials to encourage residents to continuously plant malunggay in all vacant lots to ensure cheap but nutritious food for the body.

Here to attend a meeting of key government agencies involved in the national Kalahi convergence program at the Cabugao Beach Resort. Panganiban cited the significant food nutrient derived form malunggay that could really save a lot of Filipinos in case of food crisis.
“A cup of malunggay leaves boiled with hot water is equivalent to three glasses of milk being drank by the school children; it is also equivalent to five pieces of carrots in terms of calcium or potassium and in terms of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A; and it is also equivalent to four pieces of banana of the “lakatan” variety,” Panganiban said.

“Malunggay leaves when grounded into powder is the best nutritious ingredient in baking bread,” he added.

Panganiban lauded efforts of Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano in calling for the application of the “back to basic” approach in agriculture in the newly-established 16-hectare “Barang-ay Demo Farm of Ilocos Sur in Barangay Labnig, San Juan town.

In the plant section of the Barang-ay Demo Farm, more than 500 malunggay plants are growing beside plots and near the peripheral fences
Large plots for assorted vegetables called ‘pinakbet’ garden, sweet corn, soya beans, peanuts, pigeon pea, hundred of jackfruit (langka) trees, hundreds of bana plants lakatan, sunflower, hundreds of “katuray” trees, mongo, sorghum and tobacco are also growing there.

In the animal section of the demo farm, several heads of cattle, carabao, goats, native pigs, sheep, chicken, geese, turkey, and fighting cocks are presently raised.

Upon assumption of office last year, Savellano initiated the massive planting of malunggay in the province.

“A malunggay tree is easier to grow, it does not need fertilizers, it does not need irrigation but only TLC or tender loving care,” Panganiban said.
Studies in the Philippines and other countries have shown that malunggay is nature’s “medicine” cabinet and “backyard pharmacy” with all the parts tree, besides the leaves, having medicinal or therapeutic value.
The leaves of malunggay, dubbed as “miracle tree”,” were discovered to be most nutritious bio-food on earth because it contains various nutrients such as calcium, protein, vitamin A (Beta-Carotene), vitamin C, iron, potassium, minerals and amino acids.
Malunggay is also known to fight cancer. Scientist recently reported that it can hike male potency by spurring more sperm production.
The seeds of malunggay, mixed with coconut oil or with its own seed oil, can be used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramps, sexually transmitted diseases (STD); urinary problems, epilepsy and boils.
The seeds are also good for water purification or cleaning contaminated water fit for drinking.

Source: The Pangasinan Star OnLine