TUGUEGARAO CITY—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources here has released P3.18 million to finance various seaweed projects to control the high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in Cagayan Valley or Region 2.
Milagros Morales, BFAR regional director, said the projects will be implemented in the five provinces of Region 2 where there is an increasing incidence of IDA
The BFAR official said they have programmed an initial 38 projects at P74,000 each for 2016.
She said the funds for 17 projects have been given to Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya while those for 21 are set for distribution in Cagayan, Isabela and Batanes.
The project includes post-harvest equipment such as electric pasta maker, two units electric impulse sealer, digital weighing scale, upright freezer, electric deep fryer stainless with metallic filtering cover, blower and packaging materials and 10 sacks of gracilaria seaweeds.
“We would also like to help increase the income of our fisherfolk associations in the Cagayan region while producing iodine rich foods that will help address micronutrient deficiencies,” Morales said.
“We have already trained recipients in the production of seaweeds products like chips, canton noodles, bottled pickles, among others prior to the awarding of the projects,” she said.
BFAR aquatic experts said gracilaria is a genus of red algae notable for its use as food for humans and various species of shellfish.