Benefits from citronella, vetiver plants cited

A barangay in Quezon City will serve as a pilot area in showcasing the health and environmental benefits of citronella and vetiver plants which are believed to be quite effective, respectively, against dengue outbreaks and soil erosion.

This program, designed to improve barangay health care through environ-ment-friendly means, is an offshoot of an NGO-led advocacy aimed at propagating the citronella and vetiver plants coupled with educating the community residents on their proper use and cultivation.

NGO leader Belen Abalos said citro-nella is effective in preventing the spread of dengue virus while vetiver, with its strong roots growing up to six meters deep, is a natural barrier against soil erosion. Vetiver, she added, also absorbs pollutants and thus reduces the level of pollution as welll as incidence of respiratory illness.

The plan is to make Barangay Bahay Toro along Commonwealth Ave. as a model for this advocacy. The mechanics of the tripartite agreement that will launch this program have been finalized by chairman Dennis Caboboy of Bahay Toro, Abalos of E Search Foundation & Resource Center and chair-man Efren O. Docena of the Sulong! Barangay Movement.

"The combination of citro-nella and vetiver plants, espe-cially if the latter is planted along the banks of esteros and creeks in a residential area, will significantly boost the twin concerns of environmental protection and health of residents," Abalos said.

Caboboy is now preparing the groundwork for the suc-cess of this program by trans-forming the vacant lots in Ba-rangay Bahay Toro into nurse-ries for citronella and vetiver.

Barangay Bahay Toro, with a population of 75,000, is deemed ideal for this pionee-ring community-based project which, subsequently, can be replicated in other barangays.

Moreover, Abalos said the leaves of vetiver plants have a vast potential that can translate to livelihood opportunities for the residents in the area.