ILOILO – Prof. Encarnacion Emilia Yap, dean of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), expressed willingness to assist the seaweed sector in the province.
Yap, project leader of the UPV-CFOS Seaweed Research Group during the Northern Iloilo Seaweed Convergence Meeting on May 31, outlined plans and proposals that they can extend for the development and promotion of the seaweed industry in Northern Iloilo.
The seaweed group will be extending technical assistance and training to the seaweed growers, particularly on smart and climate-resilient seaweed farming technology.
The team is also open to working and collaborating with different stakeholders for any undertaking to address issues and concerns of the seaweed sector in the province.
The seaweed research team was invited by the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (LEDIP) Center to participate in the aforesaid meeting to discuss and explore opportunities to assist the seaweed industry in the province.
Yap and her team, namely, Assistant Professor Dr. Iris G. Borlongan, Jonalyn P. Mateo and Leonilo F. Endoma Jr. joined other partner agencies in a gathering held at Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) Concepcion Campus, Concepcion, Iloilo.
Also present in the meeting were the representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance (AMA) Regional Office 6, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 6, DA-Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (IREAP), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office 6; Local Government Units of Carles, Estancia, Ajuy, Concepcion, and San Dionisio; ZSL – Philippines, NISU-Concepcion, and seaweed farmers, among others.
The concerned stakeholders discussed pertinent issues and concerns on current local seaweed production and market scenario.
They formulated strategic plans, made initial policy recommendations, and shared modern seaweed farming technologies. (UPV-CFOS/PN)
