BASILISA, DINAGAT ISLANDS — In the upland community of Purok 2, Diegas, a farmers' group has turned a simple backyard plant into a bottled beverage that speaks to both health and livelihood. Panaad Lemongrass Tea, manufactured by the Panaad Farmers Association, offers a refreshing drink made from locally grown lemongrass. It arrives at a time when more Filipinos are looking for affordable, natural ways to support their well-being, and it places a Caraga-made product squarely within that conversation.
The Science Behind the Sip
Lemongrass, known locally as tanglad, has long been used in Filipino kitchens and folk remedies. The National Nutrition Council notes that the plant contains antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin, compounds that may help the body manage inflammation and protect cells from oxidative stress. Lemongrass tea is also traditionally taken to ease bloating and support digestion, and its antimicrobial properties have drawn the attention of researchers studying oral health. Panaad's product distills that tradition into a convenient bottle, making the familiar tanglad brew available beyond the home kitchen.
From Water Struggle to Enterprise
The story behind the product is rooted in resilience. The Panaad Farmers Association, led by its president Cerela Selim, gained recognition in 2023 when it shared how residents of a hilltop community in Barangay Rita Glenda worked together to develop a local water source, only to see their gains destroyed by Super Typhoon Odette in December 2021. Rather than fold, the association explored livelihood opportunities, including lemongrass production, drawing on the water they had painstakingly secured. That decision turned a necessity into a product, and it gave the community a source of income tied to the land they had fought to protect.
A Local Product with a Clear Message
Panaad Lemongrass Tea carries the tagline "A healthy way to quench your thirst," a simple promise that fits the moment. It is positioned not as a cure or a medical treatment, but as a practical alternative to sugary drinks, something a worker can bring to the field or a student can sip between classes. The association sells the tea directly from its base in Basilisa, and inquiries can be made through its contact number. For a small farmers' group on an island province, reaching customers beyond the immediate community is the next step, and every bottle sold is a vote for local enterprise.
Why It Matters for Dinagat and Caraga
Products like Panaad Lemongrass Tea matter because they keep value within the local economy. The lemongrass is grown and processed locally, the labor is local, and the earnings stay with the farmers who do the work. In a region where MSMEs form the backbone of business activity, a farmers' association that moves from raw production to a finished, branded product represents a meaningful leap. It is a small enterprise, but it is the kind of small enterprise that builds something durable: a reason for young people to see farming not just as survival, but as a livelihood with a future.
