ILOILO — Hoping to revive the declining salt industry and bolster rural livelihoods, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in Region 6 conducted a two-week capacity-building program for Iloilo salt producers under the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP).
Held from June 19 to July 2, the training sessions aimed to enhance the skills of 90 participants from various fisherfolk and women’s groups across Guimbal, Oton, and San Joaquin towns. These included the Cabubugan and Baras Fisherfolk Associations in Guimbal, Cabanbanan and Botong Small Fisherfolk Associations in Oton, and the San Joaquin Women’s Livelihood Association–RIC Igcondao Chapter.
The sessions focused on sustainable salt-making techniques and covered key topics such as food safety principles, traditional and modern salt production methods, artisanal salt production, types of salt and value-added products, the ASIN Law, and fundamentals of community organizing.
“This training is a big help to our association because it gives us the opportunity to learn and to provide additional livelihood opportunities for women,” said Evelyn Mendoza, president of the RIC-Igcondao Chapter.
San Joaquin’s Mayor Joe Abad Lazaro, Jr. expressed support for the project’s implementation in his municipality, noting its potential to create economic opportunities for residents while preserving a traditional local industry.
“We are hopeful that the RIC-Igcondao Chapter will play a pivotal role in reviving the salt-making industry in San Joaquin,” Lazaro said.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to implement Republic Act No. 11985 or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act of 2024, which seeks to modernize and strengthen the country’s struggling salt sector through technical training and community empowerment./PN
