MikeLigalig.com

By DEXTER A. SEE

Substitute smoking with chewing betel nut and help promote the “nganga” industry. In a nutshell, this was the unsolicited advice of betel nut growers here to President-apparent, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino III, as they, too, voiced concern about his health-threatening smoking habit.

Betel nut, popularly known as “moma” in the highlands of northern Luzon, has been instrumental in helping smokers kick the cancer-causing vice by replacing it with the habit of chewing the nut.

Betel nut chewing has been part of the tradition of Cordillera people and it has been proven by many to be an effective replacement to the habit of smoking.

Community leaders in this world heritage province said they wish to air their unsolicited advice for Aquino in the interest of looking after the better health of the country’s next apparent Chief Executive. - manila bulletin