San Pedro boasts thriving sampaguita planting efforts

SAN PEDRO CITY – The city’s sampaguita planting industry continues to thrive this month amid constant efforts by constituents under the leadership of Laguna province’s lone district representative.

According to Rep. Ann Matibag, her Sampaguita planting programs all over San Pedro have doubled thanks in part to the support of Sen. Loren Legarda, whose environmental programs are key to San Pedro’s revival as the Philippines’ Sampaguita capital.

“It’s February, and it’s Valentine’s month, so I encourage everyone to give our loved ones with fresh bouquet of Sampaguita instead of roses,” the 40-year-old Matibag said. “We are optimistic that the Sampaguita industry will continue to bloom nationwide with our project.”

Matibag along teachers, school personnel, barangay officials, TUPAD workers and other constituents have been planting sampaguita on vacant lots, schools and other venues across the San Pedro’s 27 barangays to sustain one of the city’s main livelihood programs throughout the years.

Rep. Ann Matibag (2nd from lower left) of San Pedro City, Laguna leads a recent planting of sampaguita together with the School District Office.

She has also struck a partnership with the School District Office, which already started last year to plant sampaguita in school gardens.

As a committee member of housing and urban development, natural resources and trade and industry in the House of Representatives headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Matibag is encouraging Filipinos and her fellow lawmakers to support the local sampaguita industry. 

“With this program, we are not only helping the livelihood of the people of San Pedro, but we are also promoting the great culture of our city,” Matibag added. “Sampaguita industry is the symbol of our city and we’re proud that it’s blooming again.”

She also expressed gratitude to Legarda’s support of DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program “Kabuhayan” to the city, which includes sampaguita growing as one of the programs that provide basic business opportunities and jobs to the people. 

“We are very thankful to House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Sen. Loren Legarda for helping us to our Sampaguita livelihood projects,” she said. “Sampaguita is the symbol of our people for so many decades.”

San Pedro, according to Matibag, is known for its abundance of sampaguita plants and flowers, sources of oil that can be used to make soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, deodorants silks for clothing, and herbal medicines, among others.