The simple ingredient that gives your ice cream its smooth, creamy texture is now at the heart of an economic and environmental problem in the Philippines. The seaweed industry, driven by climate change and destructive fishing, is putting the livelihoods of thousands of coastal families at risk and threatening a key global commodity. This problem was recently highlighted by a massive, multi-sectoral agreement signed to save the industry in Central Visayas. Four national government agencies, three financial institutions, three academic institutions, three local government units, two processors, two civil society organizations, two traders and three farmer organizations have joined forces to create a Technical Working Group (TWG).

Galarpe, M. V. (2025, December 9). Seaweed production in CV plummets 90%. SunStar Cebu, pp. 1, 2.