CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) met with Vice Governor Lilia Pineda on Monday to discuss possible livelihood programs that can be derived from research on locally grown Sampaguita.

Pineda, who was the former mayor of Lubao where there is a thriving local Sampaguita growing industry, was excited about the possible prospects of added value to the Sampaguita processing that will also help local farmers and growers in Lubao and Floridablanca.

One of the possible products that could be exploited from Sampaguita growing is Sampaguita tea or Sampaguita Tisane.

Sample products of the tea were presented to the vice governor.

A technology and research study is currently being organized by PSAU in collaboration with DOST to enumerate other products that can be commercialized using the Sampaguita flower.

In the PSAU's study, many Kapampangans still grow Sampaguita, usually found in the towns of Lubao, Floridablanca, and Guagua.

Pineda said she is in full support of ongoing studies.

She hopes that these would result in more local livelihoods and increased profit for local growers.