ROXAS, PALAWAN – It was a great experience for the Green Island Fisherfolk Association (GIFA) after the first batch of the Green Island Bay techno demo farm’s harvest has successfully generated sales.

The GIFA, one of the beneficiaries of the Philippine Rural Development Project – Global Environment Facility (PRDP-GEF), started planting in early 2018 with 500kg of seedlings with five modules for their nursery but was damaged from sea turtles and unfavourable weather condition.

The group immediately replanted seedlings and with the support from the association and tight monitoring of caretakers, they were able to harvest and sell 2,221kg of seaweed propagules and 360kg of dried seaweeds, and 1,000kg and 149kg in the middle of 2018, respectively.

In their first batch’s harvest, GIFA earned around P45,000 and is projected to increase once the subproject formally starts its operations. In December 2018, the association replanted seaweeds and made around P65,000 earnings.

The association is currently growing 4,000kg of seaweeds from the 500kg of seaweeds propagules that they initially planted. They already have a service boat while the floating dryer is yet to be constructed. These new equipment will help the group to further boost the seaweed industry and their livelihood at the same time.

Likewise, the association was able to provide propagules to the Johnson Island Fisherfolks Association, another group assisted by the PRDP-GEF with a seaweeds production enterprise.

Moreover, GIFA acknowledged their women members’ continued efforts for this project. These women are engaged in tying of the propagules, monitoring, harvesting, drying, packaging, and selling of seaweeds.

GIFA, a registered organization in the Department of Labor and Employment, was organized in 2015 with 324 members. It was created with the goal of managing and operating programs that will promote, develop and sustain the natural resources, coastal and biodiversity conservation in support of its Marine Protected Area (MPA). Also, it aims to help curb the illegal fishing incidence around Green Island Bay.  ### (Leira Vic Colongon, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)

GIFA member and seaweeds caretaker Robert Perol Sr. show off the planted seaweeds for the techno demo farm in Green Island Bay. (Photo by Ceferino Lacambra)