This Saturday, “Yaman ng Bayan”, News5’s special monthly documentary series, gives an in-depth look into the country’s abundance of medicinal plants and how these can be a major source of wealth for the Philippines, especially with a steadily growing world-wide demand for such.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) estimated that back in 2007, the natural and herbal industry earned about $600 million, and this continues to grow by the year. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) also conducted a study that showed 80% of the world’s population is dependent on various herbal medicines.

In the Philippines, however, although it is known to have about 1,500 different species of plants classified as medicinal, only 10 have been approved as such by the Department of Health (DOH).

News5 Chief Luchi Cruz Valdes will be hosting this episode of “Yaman ng Bayan” as she also features some of the individuals who attest to being healed by various herbal plants. Viewers will also be given a closer look into the science behind plants, as local scientists share firsthand how discovering new plants can lead not only to being the key to modern day diseases but can also be the ultimate cure to poverty in the Philippines.

In addition, viewers will be given an exclusive introduction to the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (CHIPI), which is an association that has over 50 of the leading companies in the Philippine natural and herbal industry, and which accounts for 70% of the local natural and herbal market in the Philippines.

The third episode of “Yaman ng Bayan”, entitled Halamang Gamot, will air this Saturday, April 26, 10:15pm on TV5.