Salo hails passage of Philippine Salt Industry Development Act
At A Glance
- Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo has welcomed the enactment of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, a law he describes as "groundbreaking legislation".
(Pixabay)
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo has welcomed the enactment of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, a law he describes as “groundbreaking legislation”.
Salo, a principal author of the measure now embodied in Republic Act (RA) No. 11985, said the law will not only create jobs in the salt industry but also ensure fair opportunities for the country’s salt farmers.
"This landmark legislation is a significant step towards empowering our salt farmers and revitalizing an industry that holds immense potential for our nation's economic growth,” he said in a statement.
“I am grateful to President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez, Senator Cynthia Villar, Cong. Mark Enverga, Cong. Wilbert Lee, and all other champions who lent their support to this crucial legislation,” added Salo.
Signed by President Marcos on March 11, the law shall establish a “Salt Roadmap”, which contains comprehensive programs, projects, and interventions aimed at the development, management, utilization, processing, and business modernization of the salt industry, with the ultimate goal of sustainable production leading to salt exportation.
A Salt Council will also be created. It is tasked to accelerate the modernization and industrialization of the salt industry.
The council will ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the Salt Roadmap.
Under this newly signed law, salt is designated as a priority commodity and is thus exempted from certain taxes. It also identifies specific provinces as priority areas for salt production.
Salo noted that he has been in constant coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to ensure that the vision and objective of the law would be fully realized.
"While the enactment of the Salt Industry Development Act is a cause for celebration, our work is far from over,” the lawmaker said.
“We must remain vigilant in monitoring its implementation to ensure that it delivers tangible benefits to our salt farmers,” he stressed.