ABOUT 130,000 kilos of seaweed in the islets of Mambacayao and Lipayran in Bantayan, northern Cebu, have been washed out during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Rolly on Nov. 1, 2020, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Central Visayas (BFAR 7) said.

Allan Poquita, BFAR 7 director, said based on the initial report they received, about 650 seaweed growers have been affected while the damage cost is pegged at P2,600,000 with a kilo of seaweed sold at P20.

“Their farm has been washed out due to the waves,” Poquita said.

He said this is still still the first batch of reported damage and it could be that the fisheries and aquatic resources could be in a worse state.

Poquita said BFAR 7 will provide affected seaweed farmers with assistance by giving them seaweed growing materials and boats, among others.

San Remigio, Bogo City, Medellin, Daanbantayan and Bantayan Island were placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1, morning of Nov. 1. The signal warning was lifted at around 2 p.m. of the same day. /WBS