Hope for Seaweed Farmers
Leni Robredo·Wednesday, January 25, 2017
[Source: Facebook Notes]
Tatay Jaime, a 78-year-old seaweed farmer was eager to share his story with his community in Brgy. Diit. Seaweed farming is the main source of income for the residents of the barangay found in the small island of Agutaya, Palawan.
“Tatlumpung taon na akong naggbebenta ng tambalang,” shared Tatay Jaime. “Pero dahil laging masama ang panahon, kailangangan magtanim kami para may makain kung walang tambalang. Kamoteng kahoy, saging, palay, pwede na,” he explained.
Typhoons and extreme weather conditions limit the income of seaweed farmers. Farmers like Tatay Jaime would have to find other means to support their families when calamities come. However, even on regular days, seaweed farmers in Brgy. Diit still face numerous other challenges that make it more difficult to put food on the table.
“Problema sa pagbenta ng tambalang (seaweed) ay lubusan nang bumaba ang presyo ng seaweed dahil lumakas ang kompetisyon mula sa malapit na barangay. Mas marami silang naani dahil mas malaki ang lugar nila. Samantalang dito sa amin, maliit lang ang lugar,” shared Melvin Baconggol.
Melvin is a devoted public servant who began working with the LGU as a teenager during his SK days. While he does not hold any official position to date, he continues to support his community by actively participating in barangay discussions and contributing whatever help he can for his fellow Agutaynen.
“Dati P115/kg and benta ng seaweed, ngayon P25-28/kg na lang. Kaya nabawasan ang ani ngayon, kasi marami ang ayaw nang gawing kabuhayan iyon—napaka liit ng kita, tapos napaka laki ng gastusin,” he added.
“Pero kung hindi seaweed farming, paano kami mabubuhay?”
Both men, Melvin and Tatay Jaime, together with the rest of Brgy. Diit gathered on November 5 with VP Leni to discuss problems and issues they face as a community. It was through this dialogue that the OVP was able to gather information on what can be done to help the small barangay rise up and progress.
During the dialogue, Brgy. Diit requested for a speedboat that they could use to travel from their barangay to other islands for supplies. They have also asked assistance in developing their small town into a tourist spot, which could help generate income for households in the barangay, and shift away from depending so much on seaweed farming.
It was a sunny morning when Agutaynen received VP Leni and her staff. While they were happy to have been visited, they were more optimistic for the many possibilities that this dialogue could bring.
Under the Angat Buhay program, OVP and its partner institutions are able to help even to the farthest of communities in our country. After the dialogue, VP Leni has pledged to find partner organizations who are willing and able to bring assistance to Brgy. Diit—to make them resilient in times of deplorable weather conditions, as well as make them able to put food on the table despite the challenges that come their way.
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