Philippine Council of Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF)
National Sectoral Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture
The advocacy and representation of the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives Inc. in developing the salt industry roadmap, in collaboration with industry experts and other stakeholders, is a crucial and impactful task toward achieving food security.
Salt is an important ingredient in food and in many aspects. Thus, the revival of the salt industry will not only promote the administration’s agenda of rural development and contribute to producing more products, but it will also create more economic activities in the rural areas, and increase their household income.
The COOP CHAMBER[1] welcomes the signing into law of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which “aims to strengthen and revitalize the salt industry in the Philippines, and has manifested that the organization is willing to be included and take an active role in the Council in the developing the roadmap.
The First workshop for the crafting of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap was held on March 13-14 through an online platform or 2 days after the law was signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last March 11, 2024.
The objectives are:
- To gather information on the ongoing initiatives and interventions for the salt industry by the concerned NGAs.
- To present study results on the current status of the Philippine Salt Industry.
- To find the gaps, as well as Issues and concerns that need to be identified.
- To formulate short, medium, and long-term plans, programs, and projects to revive the industry
The highlights of the 1st workshop pertain to the following:
- Establishment of standard criteria for salt farm selection/expansion of salt production areas (in consideration of the integrated Coastal Resource Management Act/ National Greening Program).
- Profit-sharing schemes to be developed between salt farmers and pond owners.
- Pricing of salt guidelines during peak and lean season.
- Identification of responsible competent authority primarily in incorporating the medium and long-term standardization of food-grade and industrial-grade salt.
- Establishment of specific guidelines for salt related to food safety (SSOP, GMP) and quality.
- Vat exemption of salt.
The workshop was participated by NGAs led by DA-BFAR, Industry Experts like PhilASIN, Salt farmers, NGOs, Academe, and various stakeholders.
On May 2, 2024, the PCAF invited the Coop Chamber to participate in a special meeting called for the continuing discussion of the roadmap development.
In the meeting, the Coop Chamber was represented by Trustee Marlene D. Sindayen and ED Bustillos,
The coop chamber proposed a framework for developing the roadmap based on the following aspects:
- Economic;
- Ecological;
- Social Dimension;
- Governance; and
- Community and peoples’ participation.
The special meeting on the Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap had extensive discussions, ideas, and resolutions.
The Cooperative Chamber was acknowledged by the Philippine Council of Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) and was nominated by Ms. Abhel A. Millanes, Chief of the PCAF Sectoral Policy Development Section, to be part of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the ongoing discussions regarding the development roadmap of the Philippine Salt Industry.
[1] The Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives Inc., (PCCI) doing business under the name Coop Chamber, is a non-stock, non-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and works to serve its members through collaboration, advocacy, education, and networking facilities, all for the advancement of the cooperative movement.
The Coop Chamber represents a group of (14) visionary leaders from different cooperative movements nationwide dedicated to supporting the growth of purpose-driven organizations and promoting collaboration, advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.
