Residents of Casiguran can look forward to more livelihood opportunities as the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region III formalized their partnership to develop marine resources.

Last 11 July, APECO president and CEO Atty. Gil Taway IV and BFAR-III Director Wilfredo Cruz signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the APECO Administration Building in Barangay Esteves, Casiguran to build both salt-making and seaweed production facilities, to explore a legislated marine hatchery, and to establish a vessel monitoring system intended to promote sustainability in the Philippine Rise and Philippine Sea.

Partner for development

“Bagong APECO continues to find new allies; today, we formally welcome BFAR as our partner for development. By working together on key projects, we are laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods, local enterprise development, and stronger food security for Casiguran. These initiatives aim to empower our local communities and transform Casiguran into a hub for marine-based investments towards our direction to become the Fishing Capital of the Pacific,” PCEO Taway said.

Under the MoU, both parties target to develop a one-hectare inland salt production facility, introducing the latest technologies to the region, building on the existing salt-drying installations in the ecozone’s Parcel 2, specifically in Barangay Cozo.

The facility is intended to produce high-quality artisanal salt for both local consumption and export.

The estimated investment for the one-hectare salt production facility is at P10 million and can generate 30 direct jobs for the community.

Seaweed farming

APECO and BFAR-III also plan to develop commercial-scale seaweed farming in the northern bays in Barangay Diniog, Barangay Dalugan, and Barangay Cozo in Parcel 2 of the economic zone.

The initiative will introduce both cultivation practices and drying facilities to an estimated one-half to one hectare of land for each of the three barangays. The harvested seaweed is intended for culinary use and export, creating new income streams for local communities.

Further, both agencies look to collaborate for the establishment of another one-hectare inland marine hatchery within the ecozone, as the facility will focus on rearing fingerlings for distribution to fish farming areas outside Casiguran.