Alongside AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI), the Samahan ng mga Kababaihan ng Banlisan at Pantoc (SKBP) – a women’s group composed mostly of the wives of the local fisherfolk community actively protecting marine biodiversity – inaugurated its new Seaweed Processing Facility in Barangay Ibabang Polo, Pagbilao, Quezon. The donated facility by TLI is an initiative that aims to empower local women in seaweed processing and product development while promoting marine conservation.
The project is a milestone in TLI’s broader efforts to help government efforts to alleviate pressure on Pagbilao Bay’s hibasanan—shallow reef flats heavily relied upon by coastal communities for subsistence. The project was developed under TLI’s earlier Giant Clam Conservation Project, an initiative that aims to protect marine biodiversity, restore overexploited reef flats, and provide sustainable livelihoods for local fisherfolk through giant clam propagation and eco-tourism.
“This facility is a game-changer for our coastal communities. It reinforces the importance of responsible marine resource management,” said Francia Nardo Astejada, Fisheries Chief of the Quezon Provincial Agriculture Office – highlighting the project’s significance in strengthening local fisheries management.
Managed by SKBP, Members will process seaweed into various value-added products such as noodles, kropek, and atsara, supporting both economic growth and sustainable food production. An increase in the marketability of locally produced seaweed is projected, with products to be offered through FISH-Coop catering services and the Kadiwa store, further boosting the local economy.
“Through this project, we are not just earning a living—we are protecting our marine resources and securing a better future for our families,” said Renalyn Cañares, President of SKBP, who highlighted the impact of the facility on economic empowerment and renewed sense of purpose.
Lou Jason Deligencia, Assistant Vice President for Corporate Services of AboitizPower Transition Business Group in South Luzon and Metro Manila, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing both business and community interests. “This project perfectly aligns with AboitizPower’s mission of creating shared value. By supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities while conserving marine ecosystems, we ensure that progress benefits both people and the environment”, said Deligencia.
Partnered by the Quezon Provincial Agriculture Office, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the Local Government Unit of Pagbilao, TLI strongly believes that by integrating livelihood opportunities with conservation efforts, the Seaweed Processing Facility can drive meaningful business and community change.