The Philippines - Bantayan Island - Portrait of seaweed farmer Gloria Mandawe cleaning the seaweed

Gloria Mandawe (56) seaweed farmer, Tamiao, Bantayan Island, The Philippines. Gloria starts work at 5 am to remove the algae from the seaweed by hand so that it will grow faster. Seaweed is fast growing and can be harvested in 1-2 months. The seaweed is then dried and sold to local buyers and a commercial processing plant in Cebu, where it is turned into powder; a high value product used by many industries including cosmetics and food. Before Typhoon Haiyan, Bantayan Island was the largest seaweed producer in Cebu province. The typhoon destroyed seaweed farms leaving over 2000 farmers without essential equipment and seedlings. Oxfam awarded cash grants to around 700 families to finance the purchase of seaweed seedlings and farming equipment including ropes, poles and floaters.

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Filename: A0023872cc_1_1.jpg
Copyright: Tessa Bunney for Oxfam
Image Size: 4000x3000 / 1.4MB; Tessa Bunney The Philippines Southeast Asia Bantayan Island Tamiao Oxfam NGO non-governmental organisation organization charity Typhoon Haiyan Yolanda Cebu province seaweed farmer woman female remove removing algae by hand farming sea coast coastline food crop livelihood work occupation living industry income job portrait
Contained in galleries: Tessa Bunney - All pics, The Philippines - Bantayan Island

Gloria Mandawe (56) seaweed farmer, Tamiao, Bantayan Island, The Philippines. Gloria starts work at 5 am to remove the algae from the seaweed by hand so that it will grow faster. Seaweed is fast growing and can be harvested in 1-2 months. The seaweed is then dried and sold to local buyers and a commercial processing plant in Cebu, where it is turned into powder; a high value product used by many industries including cosmetics and food. Before Typhoon Haiyan, Bantayan Island was the largest seaweed producer in Cebu province. The typhoon destroyed seaweed farms leaving over 2000 farmers without essential equipment and seedlings. Oxfam awarded cash grants to around 700 families to finance the purchase of seaweed seedlings and farming equipment including ropes, poles and floaters.