MANILA — Republic Act No. 11985, known as the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on March 11, aimed at revitalizing the local salt industry and creating thousands of jobs, especially in rural and coastal communities.
According to Philippines News Agency, the principal author of the law, the new legislation is set to significantly enhance the income of salt farmers while promoting job creation across the country. The law provides a comprehensive roadmap for the development, management, research, processing, and commercialization of Philippine salt. It aims to increase local salt production by expanding existing salt farms and revitalizing dormant ones, and it emphasizes capacity building for salt farmers and strengthening market linkages.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is tasked with prioritizing salt as a key local commodity, exempting it from all taxes and spearheading the adoption of the latest technologies in salt production. This includes the development of year-round production methods and the mechanization of salt production processes to counteract erratic weather patterns.
“The ultimate goal is to achieve salt self-sufficiency and position the Philippines as a net exporter of salt, thereby avoiding the current necessity to import over 90 percent of the country's salt requirements,” Lee stated.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the enactment of RA 11985, noting its significance in advancing the development and modernization of the salt industry towards sustainable production and potential exportation.