Sitio Katipunan, Barangay Magdaup Ipil is populated by Kalibugan Tribe, were most of the folks are engaged in fishing and seaweed farming, as it is their primary means of livelihood. It is a community seldom reached by government assistance due to its conflict-vulnerable image.

The Katipunan Vegetable and Agar-agar Growers Association (KVAGA), is an association of farmers in the community with 30 active members, and is fortunate to be the beneficiary of the first seaweed floating dryer established in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Recently, the Department of Science and Technology IX (DOST) thru its Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Zamboanga Sibugay headed by Provincial Director Jennifer A. Pidor, turned over the Seaweed Floating Dryer to KVAGA President, Ms. Radzma Gumapi along with its members.

The dryer can accommodate 2000kg fresh seaweeds and equipped with Solar power to support the lighting and exhaust fan for better air circulation.

During the ceremony, Gumapi conveyed her appreciation with kind words, saying “Nagpasalamat mig dako sa DOST IX kay nakab-ot namu ang dugay na namong gipangandoy nga ma improve ang among pamaagi sa pag dry ug seaweeds ug among e promise nga amping ug palambo-on namu kini nga proyekto”

Also present to witness the ceremony were the partner agencies- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agriculture (DA)- Ipil, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), UP Mindanao Pull and Landcare Foundation.

Seaweed Floating Dryer is an innovative approach developed by Engr. Ronel Pangan of the University of the Philippines Los Baños funded by the DOST – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) to support the post-harvest needs of the seaweeds industry in the country.

Aside from Seaweed Floating Dryer, the Association also received a Seaweed Nursery, Fiber Boat, and technology trainings from DOST IX, totaling the project cost amounting to Five Hundred Thousand pesos (500,000.00).

Author: Francis Melanie Temonio

Agency: Department of Science and Technology Region IX

Original article link:

Published on November 9, 2020 at https://region9.dost.gov.ph/news/894-dost-ix-turned-over-first-seaweed-dryer-in-zambo-sibugay?fbclid=IwAR1aFbo4f4DovWyS2Bny-jjzBMjUeH0zMjFzvVbeYPBtNH4dE2Guhv1wlq4