DA eyes potential of malunggay to reduce malnutrition
Roxas City -- The Department of Agriculture is encouraging for a collaboration of experts in health and nutrition that will push for the wider cultivation and processing of malunggay.
The proposal came amidst a plan to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of the malunggay on the campaign to reduce malnutrition and increase the incomes of farmers who would cultivate the hardy tree and supply local and foreign corporations with natural ingredients that have significant cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
Malunggay, known in England as moringa and in India as sajina, has been found by biochemists and molecular anthropologists as rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, iron and high density lipoprotein (HDL) otherwise known in medical literature as good cholesterol, said DA Biotechnology Program Office Director Alicia Ilaga.
Ilaga stressed that a scientific study of malunggay would spark interest in the tree, which could potentially supply a variety of substances needed by food processors, pharmaceutical industries and even corporations engaged in the manufacture of cosmetics.
The various government agencies and private firms that would be tapped in the proposal include the Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC), Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) and Secura Philippines, Inc, a local biotech firm.
The health and welfare of Filipinos are currently being given wider attention by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as demonstrated in her visits to the barangays to make the gains made under her administration trickle down to the grassroots.
Recently, the President instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release funds for the declogging activities in areas of Quezon City affected by perennial flooding which has been detrimental to its residents.
She also approved the release of P70 million for fogging operations to combat the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
The President also graced the immunization ceremonies signaling the increase in budget for the Department of Health's Expanded Immunization Project from P455 million this year to P485 million next year.
The increase will allow a greater number of mothers and their children aged two to five years access to immunization of BCG (for childhood tuberculosis), Oral Polio Vaccine, DPT (Diptheria, Petusis and Tetanus), measles and Hepatitis B.
The President personally administered polio immunization vaccine drops (patak) to four babies aged six to 18 months to show her support for the DoH's immunization project.
She called on all Filipinos, particularly the health workers to join efforts to provide medicine and immunization to each and every citizen "so that we will all become healthy."
(PIA)