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JAN.

13, 2014

NR # 3345

Creation of Philippine Seaweed Industry Authority sought


A House member is seeking the creation of the Philippine Seaweed Industry Authority (PSIDA), which will ser e as the country!s seaweed de elopment authority that will make the industry competiti e in the world market" #ep" $im Hataman%Salliman (&one District, 'asilan) raised the proposal, noting that the creation of the PSIDA is reasonable and necessary gi en the potential of the seaweed industry for growth and impact in the Philippine economy" ()he creation of a go ernment agency specifically focused on the de elopment of the seaweed industry in the country is long o erdue and a necessity in order to make the industry competiti e in the world market at the same time making it a prime mo er in the country!s o er all economic de elopment,* Hataman% Salliman said" He said the proposed PSIDA shall focus on seaweed de elopment to help address the problems which the industry is presently facing" +urrently, there are more than ,-.,... hectares of seaweed farms throughout the country" /ost of them are found in coastal barangays in 0estern /indanao, particularly in 'asilan Pro ince, +entral and 1astern 2isayas, and the Southern )agalog region" )hese regions account for si3ty%percent of the country!s total production, Hataman%Salliman said" Howe er, Hataman%Salliman said the production of seaweed is also beset with problems because producti ity of farmed seaweeds has been declining due to predator gra4ing, the so%called ice%ice phenomenon, aging effect and negati e growth rates as well as crop losses due to typhoons" (&ike many agribusiness entures, the seaweed industry has its own shares of problems" 5ne of these is the erratic fluctuation in production caused by inefficient marketing and unstable buying and pricing policy of traders" )he Philippines also stands to lose a significant share of the world market as buyers complain of poor 6uality seaweeds produced in the country,* Hataman%Salliman said" His proposal embodied in House 'ill 7..8 or the proposed (Philippine Seaweed Industry De elopment Act of 7.,9,* aims at increasing the producti ity of the seaweeds and impro ing further the 6uality of the seaweeds produced in the country" )he special go ernment agency such as the PSIDA is mandated to establish and maintain such trading and marketing schemes that will ensure stabili4ed prices at a le el reasonably profitable to seaweed farmers and traders" )he PSIDA is mandated to support and enhance efforts of seaweed farmers, seaweed actual gatherers and other seaweed workers in organi4ing themsel es into associations or cooperati es and assist them in the marketing of their produce" )he bill also pro ides to regulate the e3portation, importation, manufacture, processing, handling, distribution, pricing and other acti ities related to seaweeds" )he Department of Agriculture (DA) is directed to promulgate the rules and regulations for the full implementation of this Act" (9.) lvc

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