INTEGRATED energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC), in its continued effort to expand its livelihood programs outside of its host island, has partnered with Department of Energy (DOE), local government of Caluya, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in distributing 16,000 kilos of seaweed propagules to seaweed farmers of barangays Sibato and Sibolo in the municipality of Caluya, Antique.
With a total project cost of about P450,000, each of the 80 farmers from the two barangays received 100 kilos of seaweed propagules.
Known locally as tambalang, seaweeds farming plays a vital role as a major source of livelihood in many of Caluya’s coastal communities. Harvesting seaweeds generally takes place after 45 days, and the yields are either sold fresh or dried.
The sun-dried seaweeds, which are sold to buyers mainly from Cebu, are processed into various non-food products ranging from slippers to plastic alternatives.
Expressing his gratitude to the company, Sibolo barangay captain Edwin Eguillon remarked, “Maraming salamat sa SMPC kasi kahit malayo kami, naabot kami ng mga proyekto na pangkabuhayan (Thank you very much to SMPC, since despite our remote location, we still benefitted from these livelihood programs).”
Moreover, one of the recipients from Sibato, Genalyn Gregorio Bandolin, said, “Simpleng pamumuhay lang meron kami kaya malaking tulong ito. Hindi po naming makakalimutan na may tumulong sa amin na isang SMPC (We only have simple livelihood, and this is really a big help. We will never forget that there’s an SMPC who helped us).”
Over the past 25 years, SMPC has introduced numerous livelihood programs to communities across Semirara Island and neighboring communities, providing viable sources of income to thousands of households which continue until today./PN
