Siyensya para Iangat ang Industriya: PoGi Nipanog Farmers Attend FGD

Ms. Ana Evangelista, from DOST-CALABARZON, delivering a presentation on the Lambanog Industry in the Philippines to the Nipanog Farmers in Polillo, Quezon. 

Nipanog farmers from Polillo, Burdeos, and Panukulan of the Polillo Group of Islands attended a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Quality Assurance of Lambanog and Nipanog for Consumer Safety and Sustainable Industry conducted last 19 to 20 of April. A total of 78 Farmers were given the opportunity to partake in the FGD series facilitated by the Institute of Chemistry-University of the Philippines Dilliman (IChem-UPD), Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), and the Department of Science and Technology-CALABARZON  (DOST-CALABARZON).

The FGD series serves as the data-gathering step in the conduct of the study on Nipanog and Lambanog by the three agencies mentioned. As explained by the Project Head, Dr. Cynthia Gregorio from IChem-UPD, these three agencies converged to make a study that could possibly give a holistic solution to the question “Bakit hindi kilala ng ibang probinsya ang Nipanog (at Lambanog)?”

As the FGD was also the primary touchpoint of the farmers and the three agencies, both parties were able to share their knowledge and experiences. Representatives from IChem-UPD, SLSU, and DOST-CALABARZON delivered presentations for the farmers to better understand and appreciate their study. At the same time, the farmers also shared their realities to the body. Ms. Emaline Prodente of Panukulan, a daughter of a magkakarat or a Nipanog Farmer shed some light on her experience by saying, “Ako po ay anak ng magkakarat at nakita ko kung gaano kahirap magkarat pero kakaunti ang kita.”

The Province of Quezon was identified as the best partner for the study as it is the number one producer of alcoholic beverages from Nipa and Coconut Sap in the Philippines. According to Jean Matias, the Municipal Agriculturist of Polillo in Quezon, Nipanog is an industry that has long been ignored- “Matagal (na itong) industriya ng Polillo na hindi napapansin.”

This study exploring the country’s Nipanog and Lambanog Industry is funded by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

The three agencies, IChem-UPD, SLSU, and DOST-CALABARZON, put in diverse contributions for the development of this study. IChem-UPD is doing the laboratory works, exploring the uniqueness of each wine produced from a certain municipality. DOST-CALABARZON is exploring the manufacturing process and product quality safety of Nipanog and Lambanog. Lastly, SLSU is in –charge of tapping the wine makers from Quezon province and collaborating with concerned agencies for branding and marketing of Nipanog and Lambanog. At the same time, SLSU will also be receiving the testing equipment from IChem-UPD by the end of the project to better help the Nipanog and Lambanog farmers in Quezon with regard to metal and VOC content monitoring.

Aside from the Polillo Group of Islands, FGDs for Nipanog farmers have already been conducted in the municipalities of Infanta and Mauban in Quezon. FGDs for the Lambanog farmers are already next in line.   

Although this endeavor still has a long way to go, it is still looking ahead with great hope that science could be better grasped by the people through uplifting the industry of Nipanog and Lambanog in the country.  (Demee Angelica S. Ludia/Ronda Balita)