Annual seaweed yield in RP's Pacific side can reach P100 B

The government, hard-pressed to scour additional revenues should also look to the country's eastern seaboard where seaweed grows naturally in abundance.  Such abundance could translate to a potential P100 billion revenue stream, researchers at University of the Philippines' Marine Science Institute said.

The seaweed known as Gelidiella acerosa in the Pacific waters can be gathered and yield an estimated value of P100 billion yearly.  Dr. Gil Jacinto, UPMSI director and leader of the DOST-funded Pacific Seaboard Research and Development Program reported that natural stocks of G. acerosa, a rich source of agar, were found in 51 sites of the country's eastern side lined by 224 coastal municipalities and 8.3 million inhabitants.

G. acerosa can be processed into agar, a hydrocolloid used in many food, pharmaceutical, and industrial products, Dr. Jacinto said.  Agar is more valuable than carrageenan, another hydrocolloid produced in the country in large volumes from farmed seaweed, Kappaphycus and Eucheuma.

The Philippines shipped out raw processed seaweeds valued at P3.7 billion in 2002.