TACLOBAN CITY – The municipality of Arteche in Eastern Samar province is poised to be the center of seaweed production trading across Samar Island.
Mayor Roland Boie Evardone said a total of PHP16 million worth of projects were officially turned over on Friday (June 14) for the Eastern Samar Seaweeds Production and Trading Enterprise (ESSPATE) by the Department of Agriculture (DA-8) and the provincial government. The project was funded by the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP). It received a 20 percent counterpart from the Provincial Government, along with a contribution of PHP3 million from the Catumsan Crab Growers Association.
“We are expecting to increase the production of seaweeds to provide an alternative source of income for the fisherfolk,” the mayor shared. He added that Arteche will serve as the consolidator of all the seaweeds that will be produced by the sub-proponent groups.
Arteche, located in the northernmost tip of Eastern Samar province, is the home of the largest mangrove forest in the province complemented by the emerging seaweed industry. By Marie Tonette Marticio (EV Mail June 17-23, 2024 issue)
