Thanks to our Farmer's Fund Drive, Human Nature celebrates the inauguration of Barangay Imbayao's new citronella facility!

Thanks to our Farmer's Fund Drive, Human Nature celebrates the inauguration of Barangay Imbayao's new citronella facility!

by Desiree Dales, Bukidnon Community Business Manager

“We are glad to see different sectors come together in the aims of uplifting the lives of the people in this community,” shared Manang Jean Maputi, the Manager for the citronella agro-enterprise in Barangay Imbayao, Bukidnon, one of our newest sources for citronella oil for our Bug Shield Oil and Lotion.

Thanks to the immeasurable support of our Farmer's Fund Drive, the grateful residents of Barangay Imbayao bore witness to the inauguration and blessing of their newest citronella extractor and drying hall last July 25, 2014. The event was indeed uplifting as it was graced by heads and representatives from different sectors and institutions who promised support in the project and possible help that the community may need in the future.


Blessing of the citronella facility and ribbon-cutting ceremony

For a small community with a humble population of 1,562, accessible only through a 14-kilometer uphill dirt track, it is a rare feat to be visited by such officials. The presence of these representatives from different organizations is a clear sign that many are willing to be involved in our fight to end poverty. As our brother from Gawad Kalinga, Kuya Harvey said in his message, “We must spread the culture of caring and sharing for only together will we achieve our goal to end poverty. Sama-sama sa pagbabago. Walang Iwanan.”

Among those in attendance were Bukidnon Second District Representative, Congressman Florencio “Doc Boy” Flores, DENR-Bukidnon Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, For. Felix Mirasol,  DTI-Bukidnon Provincial Director,  Ermedio Abang, and Central Mindanao University Vice President for University Income Generation Program, Engr. Reynaldo Juan. Representatives from the Department of Agrarian Reform, City Agriculture, and City Environment and Natural Resources, and Del Monte Foundation also joined the event.


Representatives and residents stand together by Barangay Imbayao's new citronella extractor - a symbol of hope for a future without poverty

Mike Go, Head of the Social Enterprise Division team, challenged the community to continue striving for the success of this project so they can be good examples to other communities and serve as inspiration to them. In response, one of the farmers shared, “We look forward to the day when we become a model community and inspire others so that many will benefit from this. We hope that time will come when we will be the ones to extend help.”


(LEFT) John, a production assistant, collects air-dried citronella for extraction | (RIGHT) Grateful and proud, the Imbayao Citronella farmers and Human Nature's SED Team celebrate the mark of a year’s success

In November 2013, our partner citronella farms in Leyte were badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda, resulting in an erratic supply of citronella oil. We at Human Nature worked double time to install extractors in our Bukidnon communities a few months earlier than planned. This is bayanihan at its finest. We are confident that with your support, Bukidnon's heroic endeavors to help bear Leyte's burden will be successful.

Do you want to continue to support our citronella farmers in communities around the Philippines? 100% of all profits from our Bug Shield Oil and Bug Shield Lotion will be used to fund the development of sustainable livelihood for our partner farming communities. Stock up now!