Transparencia de Fundació CODESPA Catalunya
CODESPA Presents a Project to Transform the Seaweed Value Chain in Surigao City, Philippines
On Thursday, August 14, the formal presentation of the project being implemented by CODESPA in the coastal area of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (Philippines), took place at the Surigao City Cultural Center: Reducing Wealth Inequality and Promoting the Ecological Transition in the Seaweed Value Chain in the Philippines. Phase II. Thanks to the collaboration with the Bayer Foundation, and in partnership with the local government and seaweed producers’ associations, this initiative will improve the living conditions of 1,400 vulnerable small-scale seaweed-producing families.
A project that promotes sustainable and inclusive growth
The event was attended by representatives from the local government of Surigao City, led by Vice Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra, officials from the city’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the province of Surigao del Norte, representatives from national agencies, and representatives from the 12 barangays (municipalities) participating in the project. Nadira Abubakar, Communications Manager at Bayer Philippines, was also present representing the BAYER Foundation, and the CODESPA Philippines team, including Margaret Navarro, head of the delegation, and Ana Marie Duran, project manager.
The goal of this initiative, which began in February of this year, is to improve the incomes of small-scale seaweed farmers and their families, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and promote environmentally friendly practices in the seaweed industry. This will be achieved through training and technical assistance for small-scale producers in the cultivation and drying of seaweed, enabling them to improve its quality and sell it at a fair price, and through the production of biofertilizers from wastewater and seaweed.
As Margaret Navarro, Head of CODESPA Philippines, commented in her presentation: “With this project, we seek to build an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable seaweed industry in Surigao City, where no one is left behind—wala’y nabiyaan—and where our environment is protected for future generations.”
Nadira Abubakar, Communications Manager at Bayer Philippines, also shared a few words on behalf of the BAYER Foundation: “At Bayer, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive sustainable change. CODESPA’s initiative empowers small-scale seaweed farmers, enhancing not just their incomes but also an opportunity to improve their quality of life and shape a better future. By supporting this initiative, we are advancing our mission of ‘Health for All, Hunger for None,’ and helping to build a sustainable industry in the community.”
And according to Máximo Caudillo, who spoke on behalf of the barangays participating in the project: “With hard work and perseverance, I can produce 200 kilos of seaweed, earning me ₱5,000 per week. In a month, that turns into ₱40,000: proof that if you persevere, your dreams can come true.”
Partnerships for the Development of Vulnerable Communities in Surigao
This project would not be possible without the invaluable support of local authorities and national agencies, who reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the seaweed value chain as a primary source of livelihood for coastal communities, while promoting environmental sustainability and socioeconomic growth.
In the words of Mr. Alfonso S. Casurra, Vice Mayor of Surigao City: “Every time we launch a project, what we want to see is how you (the beneficiaries) will appreciate it and make it your own, and more importantly, how you understand that the project can help you. The opportunity provided to you (through the CODESPA project) is unique, as there are many organizations in the city, but you are the chosen few. We have to maintain the project, the product (seaweed), and respect the criteria (of seaweed buyers) so that this project provides us with success stories.”
From the initial stages of the project, the support and commitment of the private sector, such as seaweed processing companies, has also been key to its success. Not only have they been the main clients of these small seaweed producers, but they have also played an important role in transferring knowledge to project participants to improve processes and product quality. Although they were unable to attend this event, CEAMSA and MCPI expressed their satisfaction with this CODESPA initiative and assured the participating seaweed producers that they will support and sponsor their products.
This project marks the beginning of a new phase in transforming the seaweed value chain, promoting the circular economy and economic development in Surigao communities. This project will, as a whole, help improve the lives of 1,400 vulnerable small-scale producers directly, and 7,000 people indirectly—the family members of these seaweed farmers.
