By Thiago Santos Batangas Provincial Government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, in the launching of Sea Salt Producti...
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| Batangas Provincial Government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, in the launching of Sea Salt Production Project, aims to enable the project to access technical expertise and resources necessary for sustainable salt production. (Photo from Batangas PIO) |
BATANGAS CITY - The Batangas Provincial Government, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, formally launched the Batangas Sea Salt Production Project on October 16, 2023, in Batangas City, to help in the production of salt in the country.
The said project will be implemented in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Office IV-A and the San Juan Municipal Government to enable the project to access technical expertise and resources necessary for sustainable salt production.
Based on the data shared by Hermie Ramirez, Regional Focal Person of the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP), local salt production only hit 7% in 2021, and the remaining 93% was all imported. The sharp drop in interest rates pushed to launch the DSIP in different regions of the country in 2022.
This year, the CALABARZON region is among those that will conduct a technology demonstration of solar sea salt production using the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) platform, where salt can be produced in just three to four days.
The initiative in the province of Batangas benefited Barangay Imelda in San Juan, which has land owned by the provincial government and is suitable for adopting the sun-drying method of salt production.
Danilo Babaira, Vice Chairperson of the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (BFARMC), Brgy. Imelda San Juan expressed his excitement and gratitude at the opening of this project, which is expected to provide a livelihood to the inhabitants of the said area, particularly the fishermen whose income continues to decline.
According to Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Rodrigo Bautista Jr., this is proof of continued and more projects focused on agriculture. He shared the desire of Governor Hermilando Mandanas to help more of those who live on the coast because a large part of the province is surrounded by oceans.
Currently, the construction of HDPE platforms continues, and BFAR IV-A has also distributed packaging and processing inputs to the fishermen in the said area.
These initiatives aim to improve the productivity and income of the fishermen by providing them with better equipment and resources for packaging and processing their catch.
The government is also exploring other potential projects, such as aquaculture and mariculture, to further support the coastal communities in increasing their livelihood opportunities.
The launch is part of a five-day series of activities commemorating Farmers' and Fisherfolks' Week, which began on October 16, 2023, and will end on October 20, 2023.
It was also attended by Provincial Planning and Development Office Assistant Department Head Medel Salazar, as well as the representative of Provincial Administrator Wilfredo Racelis, who is also the acting head of the said office.
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