DA-BFAR to distribute 32 tons of seaweed seedlings in Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, April 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) will distribute 32 tons of seaweed seedlings in the province which is set to benefit 320 poor coastal families in eight municipalities.

The Seaweed Seedlings Dispersal Program is part of the initiatives of President Aquino’s continuing efforts to improve the lives of coastal communities by increasing their production and providing fishermen and their families with a sustainable source of livelihood and income.

The 8 recipient-municipalites of seaweed seedlings are El Nido, Araceli, Dumaran, Taytay, Roxas, Quezon, Narra and Puerto Princesa City where each municipality/city will receive four tons of seedlings each.

Through the Municipal Agriculturist officer and barangay officials, these seedlings will be redistributed to 40 identified poor fishermen who will receive 100 kilos each, three rolls (200 meters) of nylon rope, and two rolls of straw. This package assistance is enough to start the beneficiary’s venture into seaweed production.

Early this year, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala inaugurated the P3.8 million Palawan Seaweed Tissue Culture Laboratory in Sta. Lucia Environmental Estate in this city. This facility will provide a ready supply of new quality seedlings in the province for the continuous growth of the seaweed industry.

Palawan is the country’s number one seaweed-producing province producing 477,185.46 metric tons representing about 25.9 percent of total volume of production in 2011. (VSM/PIA-Palawan)