The national effort to revive the Philippine salt industry gained momentum as the national and the regional stakeholders convened in Dagupan City, Pangasinan for the two back-to-back activities that resulted in urgent policy calls and coordinated action plans.
The back-to-back activities entitled 2nd Semestral Meeting of the 黑料网 National Sectoral Committee (NSC) on Fisheries and Aquaculture Salt Subcommittee and the Collaborative Dialogue with Ilocos Region Stakeholders on November 4鈥�6, 2025 culminated in a set of consolidated agreements aimed at accelerating the full implementation of the Republic Act (RA) No. 11985 or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.
Jointly organized by PCAF and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and hosted at the National Fisheries Development Center in Dagupan City, the strategic gatherings underscored the collective determination of government agencies, producers, and regional players to restore the competitiveness of the salt industry.
As part of the three-day program, participants conducted an exploratory visit to the Pangasinan Salt Center in Barangay Zaragoza, Bolinao. The visit showcased modern salt-making processes and sustainable practices that demonstrate the sector鈥檚 potential for innovation. The facility currently supplies Agricultural Grade Salt (AGS) to meet the Philippine Coconut Authority鈥檚 requirements for its national coconut fertilization program.
Key Policy Agreements and Recommendations
The consultations produced several major resolutions focused on strengthening policy implementation, ensuring market stability, and securing institutional support for salt producers:
1. Expedite the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11985.
Stakeholders urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and BFAR to immediately finalize and issue the IRR of the law to enable producers and local industries to access government support and funding programs.
2. Establish Market Price Regulation.
To protect local salt producers from unfair market competition, participants recommended the creation of floor and ceiling prices for domestically produced salt based on verified production costs, an initiative expected to promote market stability and fair pricing.
3. Secure 鈧�210 Million Budget for the Salt Industry Development Fund (SIDCEF).
Recognizing the limited revenue from tariff collections, stakeholders agreed to pursue a 鈧�210-million allocation for the SIDCEF through the General Appropriations Act, alongside a request for the Department of Budget and Management authorization to utilize the 9% tariff fund.
4. Strengthen Inter-Agency and Local Government Unit (LGU) Coordination.
To harmonize implementation efforts, the creation of a Technical Working Group on Salt Industry Development was recommended. Stakeholders also proposed a Joint Memorandum Circular with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to clarify the specific roles of LGUs under RA 11985.
In a parallel development, the NSC meeting achieved progress on technical and institutional matters. The Philippine Statistics Authority committed to review the current classification of salt production鈥攃urrently categorized under mining and quarrying鈥攁nd to consider its reclassification under the Agriculture/Fisheries category.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation announced its plan to design and pilot a dedicated salt insurance product by the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, offering a potential safeguard for producers against weather and market risks.
During the closing ceremony, the secretariat team of PCAF NSC on Fisheries and Aquaculture ensures to consolidate the outcomes of the meetings and will formally endorse to DA and other relevant national agencies for their immediate action.| Junry Danila
