The Philippine herbal medicine industry is growing, driven by rising consumer interest in natural, plant-based remedies. According to Insight10, a healthcare-focused research and consulting firm—as mentioned in a BusinessWorld article last month—the Philippine herbal supplement market was valued at $11.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $18.2 billion by 2030. The sector holds massive potential if the country can address its weakest link: a reliable, high-quality supply of herbal raw materials.

Despite rising demand, local manufacturers continue to face serious constraints, including inadequate raw material supply, a lack of standardization, quality issues, and processing inefficiencies. The limited adoption of modern cultivation and post-harvest practices—such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)—further compounds the problem. Furthermore, insufficient training and limited market access discourage the participation of women and youth farmers, weakening the industry’s long-term sustainability.

To address these challenges, Acting Director Francis M. Peñaflor of the DTI-BOI Resource-Based Industries Service, together with UP Manila’s Dr. Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte and Department of Agriculture (DA) Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Director Remelyn Recoter and Romermart Peñamora, organized a three-day pilot training program. Entitled “Strengthening the Raw Material Supply for Local Herbal Medicine Manufacturers through Gender-Responsive Capacity Building,” the program focused on farm- and community-level interventions that link farmers to science, industry, and markets.

This initiative resonates with my advocacy: that no Filipino should be hungry and that health and wellness should be easily accessible. I am grateful that the ATI chose Flor’s Garden—where we have a “Botica Garden” and “Hardin ng Buhay”—as the learning venue, leveraging our experience in herbal plants, medicinal weeds, field demonstrations, and nature-based wellness education.

The training workshop was hosted by BOI Senior Investment Specialist Winsor Gaudario. The different partner institutions brought their distinct strengths to the program. DTI-BOI provided industry leadership, policy direction, and investment insights, with speakers including BOI officers Francis Peñaflor and John Ace Velez. It is the BOI’s goal to position the Philippines as the Southeast Asian hub for natural herbal health products.

From the Department of Agriculture, Romermart Peñamora discussed ATI’s training programs and capacity building, while Just Dagu-ob represented the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Additionally, Antipolo City agriculturist representative Emelita Jamosale expressed the local government's support for the initiative.

The UP Manila Institute of Herbal Medicine contributed scientific expertise on research, development, and regulatory compliance. Speakers included Dra. Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte, Salvacion Medina, Ruth Elio, Essel Tolosa, Daisy Mae Bagaoisan, Dr. Jaime Purificacion, and Lourdes Tejera. They discussed the top 10 DOH-approved medicinal plants, their benefits, and how to prepare teas, decoctions, ointments, tinctures, and syrups. These remedies are effective with minimal to no side effects. The Institute also published the Guidebook on the Proper Use of Medicinal Plants, which is an excellent read.

The medicinal plants discussed included Akapulko for skin fungal infections and Ampalaya for diabetes. Garlic is used to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure, provided one uses the native variety. Guava serves as an antiseptic to disinfect wounds, while Lagundi provides relief for asthma and cough. Niyog-niyogan involves using dried seeds against worms, and Pansit-pansitan is used for arthritis and gout. Sambong acts as a diuretic, Tsaang Gubat treats intestinal motility and serves as a mouthwash, and Yerba Buena functions as an analgesic to relieve body aches and pain.

The Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines (CHIPI) shared industry perspectives on value chain integration, represented by speaker Engr. Higinio Porte Jr. of Pascual Laboratories and Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.

Participants gained practical knowledge on land preparation, herbal crop cultivation, post-harvest handling, quality assurance, and market opportunities. Attendees included community leaders such as Chairman Edna Bacarra and President CJ David of Rizal Organic, along with farmers Virgie Gonzales, Vi Duaban, Marco Llagas, and Florenda Realin. Also present were Isabela’s Chickie Lou and Noemi Ramiscal, Zambales’ Lemuel Lee and Liza Lacson of Heals Farms, Pastor Charlie Evangelia, and Gil Castro.

Immediately after the training, participants began identifying herbal plants on their own farms and exchanging recipes for lagundi, oregano, ginger, and sambong to ward off ailments during these colder days. This pilot seminar was a "first" in terms of deep collaboration among government, academe, industry, and farming communities. Moving forward, I suggest that lending institutions be invited as well. Let’s continue to invest in farmers, empower women and youth, adopt science-based research, and strengthen our value chain. I am excited about the key role the herbal medicine industry will play in healthcare, rural livelihoods, and national development.

Merry Christmas and a great 2026!