Philippines Aims to Revitalize Salt Industry with New Mapping Initiative
The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has embarked on a significant project to map and identify public lands and municipal waters suitable for salt production. This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize the country’s salt industry, following the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 11985, also known as the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which took effect on April 1, 2024.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed RA No. 11985 into law on March 11, marking a commitment to strengthen and revitalize the salt industry in the Philippines. The DENR, in collaboration with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), is mandated under Section 9 of the Act to designate specific public lands and portions of municipal waters as areas for salt production.
The Act prioritizes lands in provinces such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Quezon Province, Misamis Oriental, and Antique. These areas are to be mapped and designated within 60 days of the Act’s effectivity. Other regions will follow, with potential salt production areas to be identified within six months.
The DENR is also tasked with informing the public and potential investors about the results of this mapping initiative. A report on the completion of the mapping, identification, and designation of public lands for salt production will be provided to the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries.
In line with the Act, a Salt Industry Development Council, or Salt Council, will be established to ensure the unified and integrated implementation of the Salt Roadmap, aiming to modernize and industrialize the Philippine salt industry. The DENR Secretary will serve as a member of this council.
Furthermore, pursuant to Section 10 of the Act, the DENR will transfer the jurisdiction of the designated lands to the BFAR within 90 days from the Act’s effectivity. This transfer will include the repeal or amendment of the DENR Administrative Order No. 98-67 series of 1998, which previously governed the identification and awarding of areas suitable for salt production.
The initiative has already seen support at the local level, with DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga acknowledging the efforts of Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for developing a 473-hectare salt farm in Barangay Zaragoza. This project aligns with President Marcos’ call to revive the salt industry and contributes to the nation’s food, health, nutrition, and energy security.
The DENR’s mapping initiative represents a significant step towards a sustainable and self-sufficient salt industry in the Philippines, promising to bring new life to a sector vital for the country’s economy and cultural heritage.