(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 12 July 2025) The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect Mindanao. FORECAST: The Zamboanga Peninsula will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the Southwest Monsoon. These conditions may lead to possible flash floods or landslides, especially during moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall. The rest of Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms also influenced by the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be light to moderate from the southwest, with slight to moderate seas (wave height between 0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Monday, 7 July 2025

DTI launches P2.58-M mobile lobster facility in Dinagat Islands’ town

By Renelle L. Escuadro

CAGDIANAO, Dinagat Islands (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its flagship program on Shared Service Facility (SSF), recently turned over a P2,580,000 worth of mobile mariculture platform as a lobster farming facility to the municipality of Cagdianao, of this province.

The mobile mariculture platform is a modern and resilient facility that uses a new system for lobster production through mobile, portable and eco-friendly technology, allowing a lobster farmer to move it from one area to another. 

This is also designed for lobster grow-out operations that have equipment to monitor the quality of water, feeding schedule  and growth of the lobsters, among others to ensure quality and high production revenue of the lobster farmers. 

This strategic intervention aims to boost the productivity and income of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and people’s organizations (POs) in the coastal barangays by providing shared access to high-value aquaculture technology.

DTI Dinagat Islands Director Elmer M. Natad said, “ This mobile mariculture platform  optimizes the municipality’s rich coastal waters to enhance local lobster production.” He encouraged the adoption of proper feeding techniques and the use of local feed resources to ensure sustainability and profitability.

Dennis Solis, regional account officer for the Aquamarine and Coffee Industry from the DTI Caraga, contextualized the project as part of the wider SSF rollout across the region, with over 40  aquamarine cages established under the program in Caraga. He reiterated DTI’s commitment to assisting beneficiaries in accessing markets through product promotion and market-matching efforts.

In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Dinagat Islands Director Marie Kris P. Delarmente pledged to support in strengthening the province’s aquaculture sector through science and technology. “DOST is willing to provide post-harvest processing support, such as holding and storage units to maintain the quality and shelf-life of lobster harvests.” 

The municipal government of Cagdianao also identified several coastal areas with ideal current flow as promising sites for cage culture expansion as Cagdianao town is the capital of lobster production in the province. It also expressed strong support for the initiative and recognized its value in creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local fisherfolk, especially the lobster farmers. 

A representative from the project’s beneficiary group expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the community. He said, “This  SSF is a transformative tool to uplift our livelihood. Thank you DTI Dinagat Islands and also to DOST and our supportive LGU.”  

The launch marked a major milestone in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development in the Caraga region. Through the SSF, DTI seeks to address gaps in equipment, facilities, and production technology that hinder the competitiveness of community-based enterprises. (RLE, Dinagat Islands with a report from DTI Dinagat Islands)