PILI, Camarines Sur -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in celebration of the International Women’s Month has honored Myrna G. Joven of Bagacay, Gubat, Sorsogon for being an active seaweed farmer for a decade and for initiating the revival of seaweed culture in her community as leader of a small group of seaweed farmers.

Caption: BFAR Assistant Regional Director Marjurie Grutas with seaweed farmer Myrna Joven of Gubat, Sorsogon.

        It was almost ten years ago when “Manay Myr” got herself involved in seaweed culture. It was actually her husband, Mang Jaime, a sustenance fisherman, who worked for a year in a seaweed farm owned by a certain Mr. Alvarez in 1998. After a year, Mang Jaime left Mr. Alvarez to start his own seaweed farm having learned all the skills and knowledge from his experience. Here is where Manay Myr actively involved herself.

        The couple’s initial seaweed farm has an area of ¼ hectare. They utilized the hanging long line method of culture. With his wife actively sharing the maintenance of the seaweed farm, Mang Jaime could still fish using his sibid-sibid banca as often as he wanted. Two of their children were also giving a helping hand.

        Back in 1998, Mang Jaime only earned P38.00 per day as laborer of Mr. Alvarez. With their own seaweed farm, they were able to sell their harvest for a total of P10,000.00 from dried seaweeds at P15.00 per kilo. This new livelihood was a boon in raising a big family of eight children.

        But in 1999, natural calamities like typhoon and seaweed disease such as “ice-ice” struck their seaweed venture which almost depleted their investment. (Ice-ice is a disease which can bring a financial loss of 50% as reported by farmers nationwide). Bouncing back with determined spirit, Manay Myr convinced her husband to start planting seaweeds again little by little. In 2004, they reaped a harvest amounting to P12,000.00 from the sale of dried seaweeds and seedlings.

        In 2005, dried seaweed’s price declined to P18.00 per kilo and Manay Myr opted to sell her goods in Sorsogon City to another buyer. The National Seaweed Technology and Development Center assisted Manay Myr in finding a buyer so that she can sell her seaweeds at a much higher price for P22.00 per kilo. Manay Myr was able to sell her dried seaweeds for P6,000.00.

        In 2006, although strong typhoons hit the province of Sorsogon, Manay Myr was able to sell P1,700.00 worth of seaweed seedlings.

        On April 26-27, 2007, Manay Myr had an opportunity to even expand her knowledge in seaweeds by attending a seminar about seaweeds processing and extraction conducted by the Regional Fisherman’s Training Center.

        Manay Myr’s ability to lead a group happened in 2007 when she, along with 11 other recipients received 600 kilos of free seaweed seedlings from BFAR 5 through Aida Andayog. Later, their 2 ton (2,000 kilos) harvest of seaweed seedlings was bought by BFAR at P15.00/kilo with a total sale of P30,000, the biggest sale they had. The remaining seaweed harvest was dried at 82 kilos and sold at P20.00 in Sorsogon City. At present, Manay Myr, with her husband lead a group of 12 members. She plans to get an accreditation from the LGU for her group, named Bagacay Seaweed Farmers Association.

        Although 2008 is not very much promising for seaweed culture, due to incessant heavy rains at the start of the year, Manay Myr still waits for the perfect timing to start her seaweed venture as soon as possible even without any supply of seaweed seedlings in sight.

        In an interview, Manay Myr said she is not worried if she cannot plant seaweeds because she has a lot of things to do. She spends her time doing other domestic works like planting rice, assisting in a store as a tindera, and working as a laundry lady (labandera). She believes there are many income opportunities around her.

        As an advocate of seaweed farming, Manay Myr encourages her neighbors to engage in the seaweed industry as an alternative livelihood and as a source of income.

        In Manay Myr’s story of seaweed farming, the shared partnership of the LGU, BFAR and the fisherfolk are noted and appreciated. The LGU shared counterparts in the form of ropes- soft tie and seedlings. The fisherfolk on the other hand provides the maintenance and manpower, while BFAR provides the technical assistance and training.

        “There is future in seaweed farming”, Manay Myr said with conviction. She also recommends that there should be more training to be conducted by BFAR on seaweed farming, proper management of seaweed growing and on handling the issues and concerns faced by the seaweed industry such as climate change.

        BFAR Region 5 has acknowledged the fighting spirit of Manay Myr, at age 51. With hardwork and relentless perseverance even when faced with natural calamities, Manay Myr’s efforts are considered a strong foundation in reviving the seaweed industry in Sorsogon by involving women and the community.

        That remark comes from BFAR-Bicol’s very own – Assistant Regional Director Marjurie Grutas. She, on her part, is a consistent advocate of fisherfolk and women empowerment. Her positive traits as a hardworker, output-oriented and efficiency paved her way to be chosen by OIC Regional Director Dennis del Socorro as the second in command at BFAR Regional Office. Moreover, acknowledging her attitude of not saying “no” to work, BFAR National Director Malcolm Sarmiento recently designated her as OIC of the National Seaweed Technology and Development Center in Cabid-an, Sorsogon City in addition to her previous designation.

        ARD Marge wisely chose Manay Myr to represent the BFAR-Bicol to attend the Seaweed Summit held at Cebu last March 7, 2008.

        BFAR-Bicol takes pride of these two empowered women in fisheries: Manay Myr and ARD Marge. (pides orata)