Matag-ob: The town of Matag-ob in Leyte is set to embark on a fruit tree planting initiative, aiming to establish itself as the premier fruit basket in Eastern Visayas. The initiative will prioritize the planting of five key fruits: jackfruit, lanzones, mangosteen, durian, and guyabano.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Bernandino Tacoy discussed the town's plans following their recent benchmarking trip to Kidapawan City, Cotabato. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on fruits imported from Mindanao by cultivating them locally. This effort also seeks to utilize idle lands, boosting productivity and contributing to climate change mitigation.

The local government plans to establish nurseries and engage with landowners, allowing people's organizations to plant seedlings on their lands. These organizations will benefit from the first three years of harvest, after which the trees will be handed over to the landowners. The program also designates a 10-hectare area for an orchard, promoting community involvement in tree planting and encouraging landowners to grow high-value fruit trees.

Mayor Tacoy emphasized that developing large plantations in Leyte will help decrease fruit prices in the region. Matag-ob, a town with a population of 17,522, is primarily agricultural, known for producing rice, coconut, and various high-value vegetables. It covers a land area of 104 square kilometers and is famous for its Himorasak Festival, celebrating harvest and rice every September 25.