An article I read in the newspaper today in Philippine Star titled “VCO could strengthen immune system” by Jess Diaz states that the Virgin coconut oil or VCO could be the country’s weapon against the deadly H1N1 flu virus according to a new party-list representative yesterday. According to the former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor:

“This crisis can be turned into a big opportunity for our coconut farmers and processors. The high lauric content of virgin coconut oil is known to strengthen the human immune system against microbes and viruses”

“Research and development on the possible use of VCO against (the H1N1) flu should be accelerated,” he added.

Montemayor, being one of the 25 new party-list representatives sworn in by Speaker Prospero Nograles on Tuesday. He represent ABA-AKO that made up of farmers fishermen.

Montemayor serves the table for the House with Resolution 1121 to immediately inquire that the government should have prepareness of H1N1 flu. As of now, the said flu caused 150 deaths already in Mexico and has been reported to have infected United States, Britain, Canada, Spain, Israel and New Zealand.

Aside from Mr. Montemayor, there are others who are advocating the use of VCO as an antidote to H1N1 flu. These are:

* Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine vice chancellor for research and former health secretary

* Dr. Fabian Dayrit, dean of the School of Science and Engineering and chemistry professor at Ateneo de Manila University

* Cory Quirino, health and wellness advocate

* Danilo Coronacion, president and chief executive officer of teh Coconut Industry Investment Fund-Oil Mills Group and also a former administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority

* Tess Santos, president of the Virgin Coconut Oil Producers and Traders Association Inc.

* Cesar Villariba, executive director of the Katipunan ng Katutubong Kalakalan ng Quezon

* Gerardo Natividad, vice president for operations of the Maria Makiling Coconut Resources Corporation

* Maria Socorro Hernandez, managing director of ICONS management Consultancy Services

* Len Ang-Isleta, general manager of MARICOR Ads Inc

* Bayani Nito of A-Curve Alternative Advocacy.

Montemayor says that “Congress should also inquire if local governments and defense authorities are prepared to meet local outbreaks and If H1N1 flu should infect residents of a community, how will govermenet stop its spread to other area?”

Nicely done Montemayor but is this true to the heart. While our country is already struggling with the current climate change and floods from different provinces. The government is already lacking actions, or ..could it be that its only commercial propaganda to promote Virgin Coconut Oil?