Malacanang wants to modernize the centuries-old and “long neglected” Philippine salt industry to ward off a looming salt shortage and turn it into a viable trade.
In a statement, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said the Department of Agriculture, which is headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in concurrent capacity, will lead the initiative together with pertinent government agencies.
Press Secretary Rose Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles hinted that the government will vigorously push the modernization of the Philippine salt industry.
“The National Government is now working double time to beef-up support for the salt industry, to enhance the production of the local salt in the country,” Angeles said.
She said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned government agencies have already drawn up some plans for the the DA to implement to boost the country’s salt production.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would spearhead research and development programs for the benefit of small-scale and artisanal salt producers.
The DA will also expand salt producing areas and hasten the development of technologies to accelerate salt production.
Other related government plans on the table, according to Angeles, included the development of a project for salt makers in Regions 1, 6, and 9.
The DA also eyes broadening the salt production areas along with the development of technologies to accelerate salt production, as well as work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop the local salt Industry under Republic Act 8172 or the Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide.
The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. earlier revealed that the country currently imports 93 percent or 550,000 metric tons of salt annually from Australia and China.
The DTI has increased the prices of salt after years of it remaining unchanged. It approved an increase in prices of iodized rock salt to P21.75 for 500 grams and P23.00 for one kilogram.
For iodized salt, a 100-gram pack costs P4.50, while the price for 250-gram pack ranges from P9.00 to P11.75, and P16.00 to P21.25 for a 500-gram pack. One kilogram of salt is sold at P29.00.
Despite the increase, the DTI maintained that there is no salt shortage in the country.