Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan (Facebook)

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is trumpeting the imminent enactment of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which is seen to revitalize and modernize the Philippines' moribund salt industry. 

Yamsuan, a neophyte member of the House of Representatives, said he is optimistic that the measure would gradually reverse the current situation where the country imports about 92 percent of its salt requirements. 

“Our key goals in approving this measure is to make the Philippines self-sufficient in salt, and subsequently, a net exporter of this vital commodity," said Yamsuan, one of the principal authors of the proposed law.  

"By promoting public and private investments in the salt industry, as outlined under the Salt Industry Development Act, we are confident that the government under the Marcos  Jr. administration would be able to fulfill these goals,” he said. 

The House and Senate have already ratified the final version of the proposed  Philippine Salt Industry Development Act and is awaiting President Marcos' signature. 

Marcos has identified the bill as among the priority measures of his administration.  

“The timely enactment of this measure will  revitalize the salt industry and  create tens of  thousands of jobs in the agriculture sector, especially if we are able to modernize the industry and export salt for industrial purposes,” Yamsuan said.  

Yamsuan said the conference committee report identifies 13 provinces as priority areas for salt production. These are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Quezon Province, Misamis Oriental and Antique. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) are tasked under the measure to identify and designate public lands as salt production areas in these provinces, Yamuan said. 

The proposed law also provides the necessary support to small salt producers and cooperatives to boost their production. These include providing them inputs and equipment for salt development; establishing salt farm warehouses; and developing modern salt production and processing technologies.  

Salt, whether in processed or unprocessed form, is classified as an aquatic resource product and shall be exempt from all taxes under the measure.  

A Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap will also be formulated and established with the goal of accelerating the modernization and industrialization of the salt industry.