Folks in Barangay Ilijan, Bago City, Negros Occidental did not give much thought to this wild shrub which they usually used as fodder for their cattle and carabaos. But during a visit by dye experts from the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), the Ilijan residents were surprised that this plant could actually help them earn more income. The wild shrub is called tagum (Indigofera tinctora) which grows abundantly in dry, tropical places at low and middle altitudes such as in Barangay Ilijan. Because of its abundance and the people’s lack of awareness on its use, the tagum is usually left alone or fed to cattle. Little did they know that tagum has a high commercial value as a natural dye and is highly viable as an alternative livelihood for the community.
Sa pamamagitan ng isang counter-affidavit na nilagdaan at inilahad sa Office of the City Prosecutor noong nakaraang Martes, Abril 26, 2011, ay pinabulaanan ni G. Illac Diaz, na nagpahayag na siya ang executive director ng My Shelter Foundation, isang non-stock non-profit organization na nakatala sa Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ang mga alegasyon ni Bokal Angelica B. Alarva na siya ay bumigkas ng mga mapanirang salita nang sila ay magkatagpo sa pinagtatayuan ng isang “Proposed 8-classroom schoolbuilding sa Barangay San Jose noong isang araw ng Biyernes, Marso 11, 2011.