The national government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended P10.67 million worth of assistance to strengthen the carrageenan industry in the Zamboanga peninsula. Piñol also awarded 50 fiberglass bancas, seaweed farm input materials and post-harvest equipment designed to improve production and benefit some 50 fishermen's associations and 310 individual fishermen. Meanwhile, the DA is extending alternative sources of livelihood to coconut farmers affected by the 'cocolisap' infestation in Balisan.

DA boosts seaweed industry, address 'cocolisap' scourge . (2016, September 18). Manila Bulletin, p. 17.