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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Monday, October 23, 2017
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A TECHNOLOGY-based multi-purpose solar facility in Sagay City, Negros Occidental is expected to open a new opportunity for the local residents, particularly tothe fisherfolk living in the city’s coastal areas.
Through the facility, which is initially composed of three greenhouse-like structures, the targeted beneficiaries can produce quality rock salt or process other products that need solar drying like fish, coconut and others – in any weather condition.
The facility comes with an innovative design and layout thatis expected to enhance the production process and the quality of rock salt to be produced.
The coastal residents will be able to harvest more quality rock saltand eventually develop by-products from the crystalized salt like nigari, which is described as the mineral-rich mother liquor that remains after salt is extracted from seawater.
The project was realized after a partnership was sealed between Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc. (EcoAgri) – a vital arm of Bacolod City-based R.U. Foundry and Machine Shop Corporatio (RUFMSC), and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST), with the support of the local government unit (LGU) of Sagay City.
The construction and design of the facility was led by agri-marketing specialist Louie B. Pacana, and implemented by the technical personnel of EcoAgri/RUFMSC, and the technical support was provided by NONESCOST Research Director Jocelyn B. Bantigue, and Central Philippines State University Professor Dr. Aladino “Nonoy” Moraca, concurrent executive director of Eco-Agri.
The logistics was mainly provided by RUFMSC under the leadership of Ramon Uy Sr., with the administrative support of Sagay City mayor Alfredo D. Marañon III, and with the consultative efforts of Manny Duterte and Italian ceramics specialist Victorino Modonesi.
Aside from producing quality and culinary-grade rock salt, the facility, which is located on the property of Ruperto P. Bayawa Jr. at Sitio Punta Roma, Barangay Old Sagay in Sagay City, can also be used to dry fish, coconut meat, and other commodities produced in the locality.
By the use of traditional open salt beds, rain can dissolve the crystallizing salt, and can contaminate the brine before the last stage of the production cycle.
To produce culinary rock salt using this innovative facility, seawater is supplied by a solar-powered pump that is stationed on a floating platform which is more than 300 meters away from the shoreline – ensuring that the seawater to be processed is free from floating debris and has a higher salinity.
With the opportunities that can be generated from the operation of the facility, even Mayor Marañon is saying that this should be replicated in other coastal areas.
The production of rock salt through the facility can become sustainable because natural sea salt is one of the main ingredients in preparing gourmet dishes.
With the continuous research and development efforts, the project is expected to propel the self-sustainability of the facility in producing quality rock salt in Sagay.
The technology can lower the cost of production at the same time develop a salt crystallization process that can withstand the effects of climate change. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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