ILOILO CITY — More seaweed growers in Guimaras are benefitting from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the province.
Guimaras agriculturist Ronnie Morante, in an interview on Thursday, said that three additional projects are approved for implementation under the PRDP with project cost totaling PHP5.9 million.
The Panobolon Unified Fisherfolk’s Association Seaweed Production and Marketing Enterprise was allotted PHP2.8 million while the Lawi Fisherfolk’s Association (LFA) Seaweed Production and Marketing Enterprise and the San Lorenzo Seaweed Production and Marketing Enterprise each was appropriated PHP1.55 million.
Ongoing is the Sibunag Seaweed Production and Marketing with an appropriation of PHP5.68 million taken from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the PRDP.
Of the approved funding, PHP1.145 million served as the counterpart of the proponent, PHP906,640 from the provincial government and PHP3.626 million from the GEF-PRDP.
It was implemented by three cluster seaweed growers composed of the Sabang Seaweed Grower’s Association, Sebaste Port Seaweed Grower’s and Fisherfolk Association and the San Isidro Residence Fisherfolk Association with 130 growers.
He added that the fund was used to procure seaweed seedlings, ropes, staking posts, pet bottles and other equipment needed for the project.
Each beneficiary was provided a 1,000 square meter where they can grow their seaweed. Their production was consolidated and traded to Cebu.
Seaweed was identified as the second priority commodity of Guimaras next to mangoes. The town of Sibunag was prioritized because it was found to be most suitable for seaweed production.
The province is second to Antique in terms of seaweed production in Western Visayas.
Morante said other commodities identified in the province are native chicken, goat and swine. They are also working on a detailed marketing study of coffee and cacao because of the high demand worldwide.
Aside from seaweed, the province was also recipient of PHP18-million fund for the Mango Production, Consolidation and Marketing Enterprise under the regular I-REAP enterprises of PRDP. (PNA)
