𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑-𝟖 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐏𝐒𝐃𝐏 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐲𝐭𝐞

Tacloban City–Pushing forth the expansion of seaweed production areas in Eastern Visayas, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 8 (BFAR-8), through the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program (EPSDP), conducted a program orientation and site visit in Dawahon Island, Bato, Leyte on July 24-25, 2025.

The session brought together Provincial Fisheries Officers (PFOs) and seaweed nursery caretakers from across the region to align strategies, strengthen technical capacities, and coordinate the rollout of seaweed production expansion initiatives in the six (6) provinces of Eastern Visayas—Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.

Participants also took part in the replanting of 15 metric tons of seaweed propagules on the island, which is expected to yield approximately 45 metric tons of seaweed, forecasted to significantly contribute to the continued growth of seaweed production in Dawahon. “As of now, our island has 300 hectares of potential areas for seaweed expansion,” shared Mr. Ruel Inoc, one of the region’s top seaweed producers.

As of 2025, Eastern Visayas has a total of 1,207 hectares of existing seaweed production areas, with an additional 5,285 hectares identified as potential yet untapped, bringing the total farmable area to 6,492 hectares.

Through the orientation, BFAR 8 OIC Regional Director Dominador G. Maputol expressed his hopes that PFOs and seaweed nursery caretakers will fully leverage the opportunities provided by the BFAR 8 Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program to develop and enrich the region’s vast farmable areas. This effort aims to establish a sustainable source of livelihood and economic growth for thousands of fisherfolk in Eastern Visayas—reclaiming its former role as one of the country’s top seaweed-producing regions.

📷 More Photos: https://tinyurl.com/epsdporientationsitevisit