Government targets 600,000 MT salt production in five years

MANILA, Philippines — The government aims to produce 600,000 metric tons of salt in five years with the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11985 or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.

To achieve this target, Imelda Calixto, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in-charge for Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology Division, said the government is now doing consultations for the formulation of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) as well as securing more funding.

Calixto pointed out that the importation of salt has steadily decreased as the country’s production continued to increase.

“The salt self-sufficiency is our next level target. That’s why we are targeting the implementation of the law to ensure that we are secured in terms of our needs when it comes to salt,” Calixto said in a chance interview with The STAR.

She added that at least 10 regions are being eyed for the salt industry revitalization drive.

“Initially, only six regions were covered. For 2024, there are at least 10 regions, including Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6, 7 and then 9, 10. In 2025, we included regions 11, 12 and 13. Only region 8 was not included,” Calixto said.

Meanwhile, the environmental group Oceana said the IRR for RA 11985 should be able to address its unconstitutional provisions.

Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, Oceana legal and policy senior director, said some key provisions of the law run counter to the Constitution, thus needing an amendment.

“One of the provisions of the law is the full 25 years. If you are an existing fishpond holder and you are licensed and you decided to shift to salt, you are given additional 25 years. Under that scenario, it will exceed the allowed maximum years for licensing of 50 years,” Osorio said.

“The Philippine Salt Roadmap must provide safeguards, such as requirements of environmental impact assessments,” she added.

She also cited the broad jurisdiction given to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources despite the primary jurisdictions of local government units over municipal waters.

“Transparent, participatory process and accountability mechanisms must be in place,” Osorio said.