SUPERFOOD. The green leafy Moringa oleifera is planted in every home in Ilocos Norte. Soon, a moringa manufacturing plant is expected to move in the province to generate more jobs and livelihood. (PNA photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The transfer of a moringa manufacturing plant from Pasig, Metro Manila to Ilocos Norte will boost local employment here once the proposed partnership is approved.
While talks are underway for the entry of the new moringa investor, Edwin Cariño, head of the Sustainable Development Center under the Ilocos Norte government, said Tuesday they are excited for this upcoming development in the moringa industry as residents in the province will have more options to find employment closer to home particularly in this time of pandemic.
According to Cariño, the huge moringa manufacturing plant will be needing staff in the packaging and manufacturing of moringa capsules among other Moringa-based products for food and traditional medicine which is currently in demand in the global market.
Aside from that, farmers may likewise benefit from it as the investor will be buying bulk of raw materials from them.
“We are glad to inform you that a big manufacturer of Moringa-based products is interested to transfer in Ilocos Norte where the source of raw materials is abundant,” said Cariño, adding that Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc has already instructed his office to make the necessary arrangement to suit the investor’s preference.
He said talks are now underway for the possible transfer of the plant to the Takuat Training Center, a relatively under-utilized government building located in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte where the plant can operate.
“As of the moment, the legal aspect of the proposed public-private partnership is now being reviewed to benefit both parties, he added.
If plans do not miscarry, the investor of the moringa manufacturing plant will become one of the first takers of the "Move IN" project which is part of the Ilocos Norte government’s efforts to stimulate the economy amid an ongoing pandemic.
The "Move IN" is an incentive project initiated by the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Promotions Center (INvest) Office that serves as an identification card, discount card, and a Safe Pass QR Code to the holder, who shall also be given access to priority services provided by partner merchants.
“This time, the strategy is to bring outside money inside the province, which we can make it happen by inviting non-residents of Ilocos Norte to work, study, or live in the province,” said Soya Cheng-Bueno, INvest office Head.
Even before the pandemic, the Ilocos Norte government has been enticing investors to expand business in Ilocos Norte particularly in agriculture where most residents depend on their income.
In one of his speeches, the governor acknowledged that locals need value-adding products to sustain the supply chain.
“We are very skilled and strong in production but we lack on processing and post-production. So, I’m glad that we continue to improve until our finished products are world-class,” said Manotoc as he assured the government is doing its best to uplift the local economy.
At present, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University is developing a model farm for organic moringa (malunggay) production and processing with a grant of PHP4 million from the Department of Agriculture.
The model moringa farm covers a five-hectare plantation area and a three-hectare related services area that includes an internal road network, drying and milling area, composting facility, clonal garden, and irrigation facilities.
The project is still part of the "Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” Program (Bayanihan 2) of the government, particularly the Plant, Plant, Plant program.
With the entry of key player in moringa manufacturing business, Cariño said more farmers will be encouraged to plant moringa which is considered as a "miracle plant" or "superfood" due to its promising nutritive contents.
Study shows that moringa contains compounds such as simple sugar and rhamnose, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates, which were reported to have hypotensive, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. (PNA)
