Tawi-Tawi seaweed industry gains major boost in 'SEAGIFT' program

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Philstar.com

February 4, 2026 | 4:33pm

TAWI-TAWI, Philippines — Malacañang has brought a fresh wave of economic momentum to the country’s southernmost province as the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) formally delivered the Seaweed Economic Assistance and Government Initiative for Tawi-Tawi (SEAGIFT) — a program designed to transform the local seaweed industry into a pillar of peace and rural prosperity.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., conveying the message of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., led the ceremonial turnover on Wednesday at Bongao Port, Barangay Poblacion, underscoring that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to bring meaningful development to geographically isolated and conflict-affected communities.

Speaking before seaweed farmers, local officials, and security and development partners, Lagdameo said the Palace views the seaweed sector not merely as an economic activity but as a strategic platform for stability in the Bangsamoro region.

“Seaweed farming has sustained households, supported local economies, and provided a dignified source of income across our island communities. Strengthening this industry is not simply an economic intervention — it is a peace-and-development strategy,” Lagdameo said.

He added that stable livelihoods are key to stronger families, better access to education and health, and greater community resilience — foundations that the national government seeks to reinforce through targeted support.

“We envision a Tawi-Tawi where the seaweed industry goes beyond raw production and becomes a driver of value-adding, enterprise development, and job creation — especially for women and the youth,” the presidential aide said.

Lagdameo assured beneficiaries that the Marcos administration remains focused on sustaining peace gains by ensuring that economic opportunities reach the grassroots.

“Progress is lasting when it is built with unity of purpose and shared responsibility. This assistance is a recognition of your hard work and perseverance,” he told the farmers and fisherfolk.

SEAGIFT is a convergence program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), and the Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, with OSAP coordinating national support with local priorities.

The initiative tackles long-standing bottlenecks in the sector — limited access to quality planting materials, inadequate post-harvest facilities, lack of financing, skills gaps, and weak market linkages.

Implementation will proceed in two phases:

• Phase I (2024–2026) focuses on production enhancement and capacity building with a P44-million allocation under BFAR’s Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program.
• Phase II (2027–2029) will shift toward industrial advancement, processing, and market integration, to be led by OPAPRU in coordination with OSAP and partner agencies.

Lagdameo emphasized that the program embodies the President’s directive that government presence must be felt through concrete results.

“Development becomes real when it reaches the shoreline communities that feed the nation,” he said, adding that the Palace will continue to align national resources with the aspirations of Mindanao’s island provinces.

The activity concluded with the formal handover of production inputs and livelihood support to organized seaweed growers — marking what local leaders described as a decisive step toward making Tawi-Tawi the country’s seaweed capital and a model of peace-driven economic growth. (Contributed story)