Puerto Princesa-Palawan Seaweed Network receives PhP3.4M funding for expansion of seaweed production

On November 8, 2019, the Puerto Princesa-Palawan Seaweed Network in Puerto Princesa City received PhP3.4 million-worth of loans from the Landbank of the Philippines. The loans will help the expansion of production of four seaweed associations in barangays Manalo, Luzviminda, and Babuyan to address the demand of seaweed from four supply agreements with several buyers and processors. USAID’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project provided technical support to the Seaweed Network by institutionalizing its partnership with the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP), the national umbrella organization of all seaweed producers and exporters in the country. This resulted in market linkages with buyers and processors, turnover of farm inputs from the city government, and support agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center to 54 grower-members, and distribution of 3,000 seedlings from Danazz Resources Company to seven seaweed associations. Furthermore, as a result of the USAID/SURGE-supported Puerto Princesa City Investment Forum in September, Mr. Kenny Wong of Fujian Green Power Biotechnology also coordinated with the city government for the establishment of a seaweed processing plant in the city. At present, Puerto Princesa City and the Palawan province contribute one fourth of the country’s total seaweed volume. This is expected to increase further as the city and province have additional 8,000 hectares suitable to seaweed production. USAID/SURGE continues to provide technical assistance to the seaweed industry in the areas of production and market access.