MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano has allocated some P4 million for the construction of a processing plant in Barangay Kalagonoy, Gingoog City, to help increase the production of Oolong tea.
The Oolong tea, which is a huge hit in Misamis Oriental, is a herbal plant that can only be found in Misamis Oriental, according to Provincial Information Officer Nicole Managbanag.
Managbanag said the construction of the processing plant is in anticipation of the increasing demand for Oolong tea.
"Naay nag invest diri nga mga Chinese businessmen, around two to three hectares nga (There are Chinese businessmen who invested two to three hectares for the) plantation of tea. So kana sya, murag napasagdan sya. So at first, tsada pa kaayo ang production... Karon kulang pa man kaayo ang supply, nag commit sya (Governor Emano) og P4 million para didto sa factory sa Gingoog (But it seems the plantation was not managed well even though at first the production was good. Now, the supply of the tea is dwindling so the governor committed P4 million for the factory in Gingoog)," Managbanag said.
Some parts of the factory, according to Managbanag, will be made of glass so that the process of making Oolong tea will be visible for the visiting consumers, thus also making it a part of the tourism campaign of the governor.
Managbanag said the construction of the processing plant will start before the end of December 2018.
Emano, for his part, said the establishment of the plant will boost the income of the farmers and alleviate their living conditions.
"This is part of our health and livelihood programs in the province not only as a bid to boost economic income of our farmers and promote wellness, this would as well strengthen our promotional efforts of our product which is only found in Misamis Oriental, Philippines," Emano said.