Following the hit of the super typhoon Odette, the New Mabuhay Seaweed Farmer and Fisherfolks Association (NMSFFA) of the New Mabuhay, Municipality of Dinagat, Province of Dinagat Island is still positive in reviving their seaweeds industry.

With the turn-over of the seaweeds solar drier facility from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) on March 25, nothing can stop the NMSFFA to get up and move forward with their Seaweeds Production, Processing, and Marketing Enterprise.

“It is our delight to have turned over this project. This was built because of your perseverance and hard work. With the support of your provincial government which saw the need to boost the seaweed industry of this community, this project came to be. We hope that this will help revive what you’ve lost from the typhoon and even increase your seaweeds production and income,” PRDP Social and Environmental Safeguards Head Melody M. Guimary said.

With the new facility, the NMSFAA can now buy and dry up to 7,500kg of fresh seaweeds from its members which also encouraged them to increase their production. Processed raw dried seaweeds from NMSFFA will then be sold directly to its contracted buyer.

PRDP also provided P1,050,000 as capital to buy 52,500kg seaweed propagules, construct a 5-metric ton capacity warehouse, and buy a motorized flatboat to help with the association’s logistic needs.

Salvador L. Ocay, NMSFFA Chairperson, expressed his gratitude to the people and agencies that helped in making the project possible.

“Because of this project many were encouraged to plant seaweeds. This facility does not only encourage planting but also gives hope to our residents, especially after the typhoon. We will not give up on our seaweeds production. We will continue to rise above all the calamities especially now that we have these interventions,” Ocay said.

Ocay added that the Association will surely take care of the facility for it to be used for a long time and even pass it to the next generations.

With DA-PRDP and LGU’s support, the project aspires to produce and market 109,209kg of quality raw dried seaweeds, generate 10% additional annual enterprise income, increase the number of seaweeds producers and enterprise members with more women participation, and increase the net incremental income of enterprise members and their households. (Zenny G. Awing | DA-RPCO 13)