Seaweed to Success: Surigao women cultivate thriving enterprise
SAN BENITO, Surigao del Norte (PIA) – In the coastal town of Isla Campingganon, Barangay Maribojoc, the Campingganon Women’s Association (CWA) has cultivated a thriving and sustainable business by transforming an often-overlooked natural resource: seaweeds.
Led by their president Norgie Bual, their success story exemplifies the power of community collaboration, innovation and timely support. Starting with Seaweed Crackers, the CWA has now expanded its product line to include Seaweed Pickles.
Isla Campingganon has enjoyed an abundant supply of seaweed for generations. For years, locals traditionally sold the seaweed in its raw form, following practices passed down through families. However, a growing awareness of seaweed’s potential as a valuable resource began to take root. With crucial assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the local government of San Benito, an innovative idea emerged to transform this natural asset into a flourishing business.
“Through the DTI’s entrepreneurial mind-setting, knowledge and skills training on seaweed cracker processing, we learned key business strategies and technical skills that would help us thrive,” Bual said, recounting the group’s journey. After extensive experimentation, they perfected the recipe for Seaweed Crackers – a healthy and delicious snack that quickly gained popularity among both locals and tourists. “We realized that seaweed could be transformed into a marketable product,” she added.
Driven to scale up their burgeoning enterprise, the CWA sought further support from the DTI and other government agencies. Through the DTI’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen Program, the association received invaluable assistance in improving their product packaging and branding, significantly enhancing the market competitiveness of their Seaweed Crackers.
To further nurture their business growth, Bual and the CWA members proactively engaged with the DTI for additional support. “Through the DTI’s Negosyo Center, we gained a vital platform to showcase our products, allowing us to reach a much wider audience,” Bual explained. “The Negosyo Center’s Facebook page became an indispensable tool in promoting our Seaweed Crackers and effectively engaging with potential customers beyond our immediate local community.”
Moreover, the DTI played a key role in elevating the association’s business by featuring their Seaweed Crackers at various prominent trade fairs. These events provided the CWA with crucial opportunities to present their product to potential buyers, network with industry professionals and build essential credibility. The exposure gained at these trade fairs significantly boosted the visibility of their product, directly contributing to a substantial increase in demand.
Today, Isla Campingganon’s Seaweed Crackers stands as a compelling example of how effective collaboration, innovative thinking and well-timed support can transform a simple concept into a thriving business success story.
More than just a snack, the Seaweed Crackers business represents a powerful narrative of women’s entrepreneurship, remarkable community resilience and the transformative impact of accessible education and dedicated support. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI Surigao del Norte)
