President Marcos signed Republic Act No 11985, also known as “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act,” aimed at fortifying and rejuvenating the salt industry in the country.
The signing of the law aligns with the administration’s overarching agenda to foster rural development and bolster rural incomes.
Spanning 23 pages, the law, officially signed on March 11, underscores the commitment to provide essential support to salt farmers.
This backing encompasses appropriate technology, research, financial assistance, as well as support services in production and marketing to breathe new life into the salt industry, ramp up production, attain self-sufficiency in salt, and position the Philippines as a notable salt exporter.
Embedded within the law is a resolute dedication to environmental preservation and rehabilitation, in tandem with developmental pursuits.
To achieve these goals, a detailed plan for the Philippine Salt Industry must be created. This blueprint will help achieve the objectives of the law and align with Republic Act No. 8172, also known as An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide or “ASIN.”
Central to the salt roadmap is the “Salt Council” chaired by the Department of Agriculture, which will drive the modernization of the Philippine salt industry.
Under the council’s leadership, the Department of Trade and Industry Secretary is tasked as the vice-chair. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will pick nominees from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the Salt Council representatives.
Senator Cynthia Villar thanked the President for signing the law, which she said will save country’s “dying” salt industry.
Villar was speaking as chairperson of the Senate Agriculture and Food committee, who served as principal sponsor of the bill when it was deliberated in the upper chamber.
She said this is also a ‘prayer heard’ from the sector’s workers and stakeholders who have been appealing to revitalize the salt industry.
With this development, she said all coastal communities will once again be able to produce salt. Villar also noted that the law will address the expansion of the current salt farms concentrated in the provinces of Pangasinan and Occidental Mindoro.
“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and BFAR are mandated to map out, identify, and designate public lands, including portions of municipal waters, as salt production areas within 60 days from the passage of this Act,” said Villar.