Legarda urges government to maximize malunggay’s potential

STRESSING the varied uses of malunggay, Senator Loren Legarda urged the government to maximize the benefits of the tropical crop.

“Because of the many uses of malunggay, the government should formulate a sustainable framework for development that will serve as guide to the formulation an implementation of plans, programs and projects for the production, marketing, processing and distribution of malunggay for food, medicinal, health and commercial needs,” Legarda said.

Legarda said she has re-filed the proposed Malunggay Development Act to spur the production, processing, marketing and distribution of malunggay in suitable areas of the country in order to acquire its benefits.

Senate Bill 104 seeks to establish a Malunggay Development Fund to provide for the funding requirements for the production, marketing and processing of malunggay.

Malunggay is one of the most useful tropical trees.

Most of its parts can be eaten: young leaves used to make soups and salads, dry seed can be ground to a powder and used for seasoning sauces, flowers used as a tasty addition to salad, and the oil content of its kernel used as lubricant for fine machinery and as vegetable cooking oil.

“There are a lot of studies that have been conducted on the uses of malunggay. It can be used to treat wastewater,” the senator said.

At Biomasa, a technical university based in Nicaragua, studies have been conducted using the seeds from malunggay for the final treatment in wastewater treatment units.

Legarda said people can use malunggay for medicinal purposes.

Malunggay is also a good source of vitamin A, vitamins B and C, and minerals like iron among others.

Its leaves are also good for headache, bleeding from a shallow cut, bacterial and fungal skin complaints and gastric ulcers and diarrhea.

Malunggay pods are dewormers and good for treating liver and spleen problems, pain of the joints and malnutrition while its seeds can treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramps, sexually transmitted diseases, boils and urinary problems, and a relaxant for epilepsy.

Given the benefits that the country will get by maximizing the yield and use of malunggay for agricultural, industrial, commercials and medicinal purposes, Legarda urged for the swift passage of the measure.

Legarda filed the bill in 2013 but is still pending in the Senate.

Source: Sunstar