The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said the passage of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act is expected to attract local and foreign investments that will revive salt farming, making the local salt production more globally competitive. 

In a statement released on March 19, PCCI lauded the enactment of Republic Act No. 11985, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on March 11, saying the new policy may hopefully revitalize domestic salt production since the country currently imports 90 percent of its salt requirement. 

PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio stated that collective action is needed to address the gaps in the salt sector, particularly referring to the limitations of the ASIN Law (An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide), and open opportunities in rural salt-making communities. 

“We should aim for our country to become salt self-sufficient and minimize dependence on imports,” Mangio said. 

The Chamber has lent its support for the law even back in 2022, through a joint letter to Congress made with the Exporters Confederation of the Philippines (PHILEXPORT) and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP). 

The statement of support cited the potential of the local salt industry to create 100,000 green jobs for Filipinos in rural areas, and save costs incurred from importing more than 500,000 metric tons (MT) of salt annually. 

If the sector becomes globally competitive, the business groups said the country can participate in the global salt export market, particularly in Asia where total salt trade, mostly from Australia and China, is around 20,000,000 MT worth $1.2 billion. The Philippines can leverage its logistical advantage in Southeast Asia as a more viable salt supplier to its Asian neighbors, they added. 

Given the archipelagic geography of the country, PCCI Agriculture and Fishery Committee Director Dr. William S. Co remarked that there is no reason that the industry cannot supply enough salt, urging the government to ensure the effective implementation of the law.

According to the law, “the State shall provide support through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services to revitalize the salt industry, attain increased income for salt farmers and salt producers, achieve salt self-sufficiency, and become a net exporter of salt.” 

A Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap will be created  to lead programs and initiatives to develop, modernize, and commercialize Philippine salt, as per Section 4 of the law. 

A Philippine Salt Industry Development Council will also be formed to implement the roadmap. Its members shall include representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Trade an Industry, Science and Technology, Tourism, along with the Cooperative Development Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Land Bank of the Philippines.