Did you know that the Cinchona Forest Reserve in Bukidnon was established by the Americans in 1929 to cultivate cinchona trees, whose bark is a source of quinine and other alkaloids used as the only effective treatment for malaria at the time? This made the reserve an economic and political asset during those years when malaria was a significant public health challenge. The cinchona tree, native to South America, was introduced to the Philippines as part of global efforts to ensure stable supply of quinine. Its importance was further highlighted during World War II as quinine played a vital role in protecting troops from the disease in tropical battlefields.
In 1932, then Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and Acting Governor General of the Philippine Islands George C. Butte became the first high ranking official to visit the Cinchona Plantation in Kaatuan, Lantapan, Bukidnon.
Theodore Roosevelt Jr, the eldest son of United States President Theodore Roosevelt, who was Governor-General of the Philippines from 1932-1933 also visited the plantation during his term.
Below are screenshots of portion of the article by Eusebio Vibar titled “Quinine in the Philippines” published on the January 1935 issue of Philippine Magazine. – SOURCE
Below are plantation photos in 1941. – SOURCE
Cinchona bark from Bukidnon were used to manufacture 1,000,000 five-grain quinine tablets during World War II. – SOURCE
Today, the Cinchona Forest Reserve remains a vital ecological and historical site, now incorporated within the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, an ASEAN Heritage Park known for its biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Read related post below.
