Sampaguita growers thank Guv for seedlings

Sunday 10th of June 2012

LUBAO, Pampanga, June 10 (PIA) -- Sampaguita growers and village officials in Barangay San Roque, Dau 2nd here expressed gratitude to the provincial government, particularly to Governor Lilia Pineda, after receiving 3,000 sampaguita seedlings during the launch of Sampaguita Livelihood Opportunities recently.

This village is one of the three recipients of sampaguita seedlings under the said livelihood program dubbed, “Sampaguita Mabanglu” launched by the provincial government this year.

Barangays Sto. Domingo and San Roque Dau 1st, also in this town, has already received their sampaguita seedlings during the previous months.

Victoria Sarmiento, San Roque Dau 2nd chairwoman, vowed to payback the provincial government’s efforts in bringing livelihood opportunities for the residents here.

Village officials here said they would conduct regular monitoring and inspection on the farms of grower-beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of the seedlings given to them.

“Seedlings will only be released if their lands are in good condition,” the chairwoman stressed.

Ruben Diaz, a sampaguita grower since 1993, also professed to the governor his commitment to ensure the sustainability of sampaguita livelihood in their barangay.

“Dakal nala reng minasenso keng pamag-sampaguita. Dakal na mekapatalakad bale at mekapagaral anak anya pakamalan tala,” (A lot has already prospered their lives through this sampaguita business. Many has built their houses and had their children earn degrees because of sampaguita, so let's value it.), Diaz appealed to the other sampaguita growers.

For her part, the governor assured the sampaguita growers in the area that the provincial government will always support and will provide for the needs of the farmers.

Capitol would always look for ways to improve the livelihood of the residents here, particularly in sampaguita growing and selling, Pineda added.

Pineda is also planning to convene the sampaguita growers in Lubao for a training seminar to improve their craft in sampaguita growing and production.

The governor also urged the residents to form an association or cooperative and elect officials who would facilitate future seminars and other projects launched by government. (WLB with reports from Angelique DC. Tuazon, PIO Pampanga)