The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Palawan State University (PSU) have jointly implemented the “Pangtawid Program” to benefit coastal communities in Palawan that were most affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T de la Peña said the project is implemented by the PSU.
"It aimed to disperse pre-selected fast-growing seaweed cultivars from the culture facilities of PSU-Marine Science Laboratory to seaweed farmers associations,” he said in a report.
He noted that three hectares of sea-based seaweed nurseries using pre-selected fast-growing cultivars in the municipalities of Narra, Dumaranan, and Bataraza, Palawan were established with one hectare of nursery each project site.
"The Seaweed Growth Performance for Strain Selection was determined in the sea-based nurseries established in the three project sites,” he said.
De la Peña said 100 seaweed farmers participated in a training on the initiation of community-based seaweed enterprise.
He said seaweed farm materials were distributed to the members of Caguisan Seaweeds Farmers Association in Narra; Pajo Fisherfolk Association in Sarong, Bataraza; and Cabugawan Fisherfolk Association in Dumaran, Palawan.