Palawan is top producer of seaweeds

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec.8 (PIA) -- Palawan is the country’s top producer of seaweeds.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) MIMAROPA Director Oscar Balbastro confirmed this in his presentation of the Regional Situation Update in the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) held this morning at Hotel Centro this city.
He said that the province is a major player in the seaweeds industry not only in the region which accounted for more than 90% production but in the country as well producing 444,355.44 metric tons in 2010.
He also said that the industry is number one employment generator because it is labor-intensive and at the same time a profitable livelihood for the fisher folks.
According to Director Balbastro there is a need to further expand the participation of producers and farmers in seaweeds production modernizing the industry by investing in processing.
There are 19 seaweed-producing municipalities in Palawan. The province’s top producers are Cagayancillo, Agutaya, Roxas, and Balabac.
NEDA Director Balbastro is in town for the Philippine Economic Briefing and the holding of a Full Council Meeting of the Regional Development Council this afternoon.
(VSM/PIA-Palawan)