CERD Inc.  spearheads 2-day ‘annual seaweed conference’ at UEP

CATARMAN, Northern Samar— The Center for Empowerment and Research Development(CERD) Inc.  together with  the various line agencies of government particularly, those local government units(LGU’s), non-government organizations(NGOs), the academe, the fishery sector and the provincial government here among others have conducted a  2-day ‘ seaweed conference’ on Aug. 8-9 at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP).

This was announced by Ailene Diaz, district manager of seaweed projects of  CERD Inc. based here  in Northern Samar and is being aided by Rosalinda Tarayo, Mondragon town seaweed project manager,  said that their 2-day convergence is aimed at enhancing their knowledge in seaweeds farming and as well arming them(Seaweeds Network) the several environmental laws applicable for their day-to-day activities including mobilization support among other initiatives  needed on seaweed farming.

Diaz said that the on-going event of which around 300 Seaweed Network farmers were in attendance from the towns of Biri, Capul, Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Mondragon, Rosario, San Antonio, San Jose and San Vicente, is also being joined by some seaweed investors from other parts of the country particularly, from Cebu city.

On  the first day, a parade was held before the formal opening of the conference of which UEP president Mar De Asis welcomed the participants, while Governor Paul Daza in his message, exhorted the participants  to become more aggressive in this endeavour for his administration is  willing to support in whatever way he can for  the betterment and success of Seaweed farming in the province.

Among the topics discussed were; innovations and trends in seaweed farming and trade; current and emerging trends in the seaweeds industry; issues and concerns on seaweeds farming and trade in Northern Samar; what are environmental laws; provisions in R.A.8550 useful to seaweed farmers; and as well localization and interpretation of laws; Local Government Code;municipal fishery ordinances, among other topics tackled on the second day of the conference.

It can be recalled that Diaz  said, though in 2011, the towns of Biri and Lavezares has traded  only a  total of 10 tons of seaweeds to a Cebu based investor at P30 per kilo, she is very hopeful that should the 11 municipalities become more productive or   province wide, a Cebu-based seaweed investor is willing to put up buying station here  with the help of barangay and municipal consolidator if they can meet the 20 tons per month demand in the national market. Likewise, Maximo Ricohermoso, president & CEO, MCPI&pres.,Seaweeds Industry Asso. Of the Phil(SIAP) also presented the current and emerging trends in the seaweeds industry followed by an open forum, while Ma. Jovelyn Cleofe, executive director, CERD Inc. seaweed lead convenor, tackled on the  topic,’Who is the Seaweeds Net; what are its projects, its VMO & its value chain.

Also joining during the 2-day convergence were BFAR Regional and provincial offices headed by ASec. Gil Adora, and provincial fishery officer Pepe Lutao, PNP provincial director Tonog, SACRED, LandBank, DBP, NSWD, NAC, UEP and the provincial government here headed by Gov. Paul Daza, with the theme; VCD in Seaweeds; Continuing Conservations On Framework. (Peter D. Paredes)

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Posted by lsde on Aug 20 2012. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.