NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1932
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iDfficp of the S’CfiCtarp
23 FEB 27 P3 37
ftECEiVCD liV;
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT REVITALIZING THE SALT INDUSTRY, CREATING A 
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING INCENTIVES 
TO SALT FARMERS AND EXPORTERS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 8172 also known as the ASIN law was enacted for the 
purpose of eliminating micronutrient malnutrition in the country, particularly iodine 
deficiency disorders, through cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization. 
The law requires all producers and manufacturers of food-grade salt to iodize the 
salt that they produce, manufacture, import, trade or distribute; and provide 
mechanisms and incentives for the local salt industry in the production, marketing 
and distribution of iodized salt. Despite the noble purpose of the law it has brought 
challenges to the industry, especially to the local salt farmers who do not have the 
capacity and necessary technological knowledge on salt iodization.
In the hearing conducted by the Committee on Agriculture on January 18, 
2023, government authorities confirmed that the bulk of the salt supply in the 
country is imported, given the fact that the Philippines has one of the longest 
shorelines in the world. It is also apparent that government agencies are also 
confused with regard to their roles in salt industry management. Due to the myriad 
of problems hounding the Philippine salt industry, it is high time that the Republic 
Act 8172 should be amended to ameliorate the unintended ramifications and breathe 
new life into the Philippine salt industry.


This bill aims to revitalize local salt industries, as well as other local 
businesses that were negatively affected by Republic Act No. 8172. This bill also 
seeks and supports the continuous implementation of health standards set under the 
law and implementing rules and regulations to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders 
in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
,/u
MARIA LOURDES N^CY S. BINAY


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
senate
'^rn^(©ffltp of till' ^nTClarp
23 FEB 27 P3 38
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT REVITALIZING THE SALT INDUSTRY, CREATING A 
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING INCENTIVES 
TO SALT FARMERS AND EXPORTERS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Salt Industry 
Development Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote 
industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development 
through industries that make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, 
and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. For this purpose, 
the State shall provide support through appropriate technology and research, and 
adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services to revitalize 
the salt industry, attain increased income for salt farmers and salt producers, 
achieve salt self-sufficiency and become a net exporter of salt.
I.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined as follows:
a. Artisanal Sea Salt refers to unrefined sea salt, derived directly 
from a living sea or ocean, harvested and cooked through natural 
evaporation processes; it retains natural traces of minerals 
depending on the source and the manner of production is solar- 
evaporated, evaporated, cooked or smoked. Local artisanal salts 
include Duldul from Guimaras, Asin-Tibuok from Bohol, Sugpo Asin 
from Pangasinan.


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b. Association refers to a group of individuals or companies 
involved in common activities or endeavor towards the 
development of the salt industry.
c. Cooperative refers to a cooperative engaged in salt 
production.
d. Fleur de Sel also known as "flower of salt" refers to a rare, 
delicate and highest standard of finishing salt given its aroma and 
profile, and is often referred to as the caviar of salts by chefs 
worldwide.
e. Food Fortification refers to the addition of nutrients to 
processed food at levels above the natural state.
f. Gourmet dish refers to food or drink that takes extra care to 
make or acquire, found or made only in certain locations, and 
ingredients of which may be unusual, hard to find in regular 
grocery stores, only available in limited amounts, rarely exported 
outside of their place of origin, or available for short times of the 
year.
g. Iodized Salt refers to salt artificially spray-coated with iodine.
h. Large-scale Salt Farmer/Operator/Producer shall refer to:
1. An individual owner or leaseholder of a salt farm that is more 
than fifty (50) but not more than five hundred (500) hectares; 
or
2. An association, cooperative or corporation that owns or is a 
leaseholder of a salt farm that is more than fifty (50) but not 
more than one thousand (1000) hectares.
i. 
Local Gourmet Outlet refers to a store, grocery or supermarket 
located in the Philippines that stocks and sells high-quality, unique, 
or hard-to-find ingredients needed to prepare gourmet dishes.
j. 
Medium-scale Salt Farmer/Operator/Producer shall refer to 
an individual, association, cooperative or corporation that owns or 
is a leaseholder of more than (3) hectares but not more than fifty 
(50) hectares of salt farms.
k. Philippine sea salt refers to salt produced from evaporation of 
seawater, brine, or concentrated brine in any salt farm or refinery 
within the Philippines.
l. 
Salt Farm refers to areas of land, shorelines, or coastal areas, 
including its buildings, machineries, and equipment used for salt 
production.


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m. Salt Producer refers to an individual, corporation, cooperative, or 
association involved in the production of sea salt.
n. Salt Project refers to the construction, development, 
maintenance, and improvement of salt farms.
0. Salt Technology Demonstration Centers refers to training 
facilities where salt farming, harvesting, cooking and packaging is 
done for purposes of conducting hands-on-training, skills 
enhancement, and capacity-building.
p. Small-scale salt farmer/operator/producer refers to an 
individual, association, cooperative or corporation that owns or is a 
lease holder of a salt farm of not more than three (3) hectares.
q. Strategic Agri/Fisheries Enterprise (SAFE) Innovation Hubs 
and Technology Business Incubators refers to a brick-and-mortar or 
physical presence of an organization or business facilitation service, 
other than infrastructure and offers products and services to its 
customers face-to-face in an office, or through off-wall services 
provided to entrepreneurs including but not limited to 
administrative/technical services, market facilitation and business 
linkages, initial seed funds and access to growth capital, lab 
facilities, and testing services to ensure compliance to accepted 
product/service standards.
SEC. 4. Salt as Aquatic Resource. - For purposes of this Act, the following 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as the "The Philippine 
Fisheries Code of 1998," are hereby amended to read as follows:
a. Section 4 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC.4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Code, the following 
terms and phrases shall mean as follows:
XXX
11. Commercial Scale - A scheme of producing a minimum AMOUNT 
PER YEAR OF SALT or harvest per hectare per year of Milkfish or other 
species including those raised in pens, cages, and tanks to be 
determined by the Department in consultation with the concerned 
sectors;
XXX
20. Farm-to-Market Roads — shall include roads linking the fisheries 
production sites, coastal landing points and other post-harvest facilities 
to major market and arterial roads and highways.
XXX


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XXX
28. Fisherfolk - people directly or personally and physically engaged in 
taking and/or culturing and processing fishery and aquatic resources 
INCLUDING SEA SALT PRODUCED BY SALT FARMERS. According to 
House Resolution 1032 and 1046.
XXX
32. Fishpond - a land-based facility enclosed with earthen or stone 
material to impound water for growing fish AND/OR PRODUCING 
SALT.
XXX
47. Fully developed Fishpond Area 
dikes, at least one foot higher than 
locality and strong enough to resist 
consists of at least a nursery, a 
RESERVOIR POND, EVAPORATING 
or a combination of any or all said 
water control system and producing
- a clean leveled area enclosed by 
the highest floodwater level in the 
pressure at the highest flood tide; 
transition pond, a rearing pond. 
POND, SALT CRYSTALIZER POND, 
classes of ponds, and a functional 
commercial scale.
b. Paragraph Section 46 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 46. Lease of Fishponds/FISHPONDS WITH SALT FARMS -
Fishpond/FISHPOND WITH SALT FARMS leased to qualified persons and 
fisherfolk organizations/cooperatives shall be subject to the following 
conditions...X x x
Areas leased for Fishponds purposes shall be no more than 50 hectares 
for individuals and 250 hectares for corporations or fisherfolk 
organizations. AREAS LEASED FOR FISHPONDS WITH SALT FARMS 
PURPOSES SHALL BE NO MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED (500) HECTARES 
FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ONE THOUSAND (1,000) HECTARES FOR 
ASSOCIATIONS, COOPERATIVES, OR CORPORATIONS.
XXX
c. Section 54 is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 54. Insurance for Fishponds, FISHPONDS WITH SALT 
FARMS, Fish Cages, and Fish Pens - Inland Fishponds, INLAND 
FISHPONDS WITH SALT FARMS, Fish cages. Fish Pens shall be covered 
under the insurance program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation 
for losses caused by force majeure and fortuitous events.
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II.
SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
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SEC. 5. Creation of Administration for Salt Industry Development, 
Revitalization and Optimization (ASinDeRO) and Mandate. - There is 
hereby created the Administration for Salt Industry Development, 
Revitalization and Optimization (ASinDeRO) which is mandated to ensure that 
the objectives of this Act are reaiized. It shall be composed of the following:
a. Undersecretary for Fisheries, Department of Agriculture (DA) as 
Chair;
b. Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, 
Department Trade and Industry as Co-Chair;
c. Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 
as Vice-Chair;
Members:
d. A representative from the Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST;
e. A representative from the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR);
f. A representative from the Department of Fleaith (DOFI);
g. A representative from the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG);
h. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General
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Chief Executive Officer of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) or 
representative; and
j. Two (2) representatives - one (1) from salt farmers and one (1) 
from salt producers, from each salt producing provinces. The 
Secretary of the Department of Agricuiture shali choose or appoint 
from a list of salt producers and salt farmers that will be endorsed 
by the Cooperative or Association, for a term two (2) years, and 
may be reappointed; Provided that the representatives on the first 
two (2) terms shall be from Pangasinan and Mindoro Occidental.
The Administration shail be in existence for a period of ten (10) years from 
the effectivity of this Act, after which its mandate and functions shall be performed 
and carried out by the Program Management Secretariat Office (PMO) created under 
the Department of Agriculture.


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SEC. 6. Functions - The ASinDeRO shall have the following functions:
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1. Formulate and adopt policy directions, strategic action points, and
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guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act;
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2. Develop and approve short term, medium term and long term
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development plans, or a ten (10) year industry roadmap for the
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revitalization of the Philippine salt industry and pursue effective export
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strategies and developmental mechanisms to achieve competitiveness
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Philippine sea salts, artisanal salt and/or specialty salts for gourmet and
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other industrial applications;
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3. Provide strategic directions and guidance to the various departments and
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agencies that play a vital role in the realization of the objectives of this
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Act;
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4. Oversee the implementation by the various departments and agencies
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mandated under this Act of their assigned tasks;
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5. Oversee the identification of new areas suitable for the government-
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funded salt projects and the registration, construction and lease of salt
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farms;
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6. Provide needed support and determine the required investments both in
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the government and the private sector to achieve the objectives of this
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Act;
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7. Establish a one-stop-shop for the processing of all permits required for the
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approval of the salt farm project;
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8. Ensure the 
harmonization of the rules and guidelines of various
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departments and agencies concerning salt;
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9. Recommend 
to the Department of Agriculture the required yearly
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appropriations for the identification and construction of salt farms; and
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10. Perform other functions necessary for the efficient and effective
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implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 7. Program 
Management Office and Secretariat. - A Program
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Management Secretariat Office (PMO) is hereby created which shall be headed by
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the Undersecretary of Fisheries under the Department of Agriculture, to oversee the


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overall implementation of the sait industry development plan as well as conduct 
regular monitoring of its execution by the implementing agencies and/or partners. 
The Secretariat is also hereby created under the supervision of the PMO and shaii 
perform functions such as to coordinate and manage reguiar meetings of the 
ASInDeRO, prepare and/or coordinate reports for the PMO, monitor the 
impiementation of policy decisions that the ASInDeRO has adopted and iiaise with aii 
the member departments and reievant agencies of the government, as needed.
SEC. 8. Jurisdiction over Salt Farms and Fish Ponds with Salt Farms - The
administrative jurisdiction and management of salt farms and fish ponds with sait 
farms, including the approval of lease of newly constructed salt farms to qualified 
individuals, associations, cooperatives or corporations, shall be lodged with the 
Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic and Resources (DA- 
BFAR).
SEC. 9. Fishpond Lease Agreements to Include Salt Production. - Fishpond 
Lease Agreements (FLAs) shall automatically include salt farming or production as 
among the valid activities that may be undertaken by the leaseholder FLA holders 
who intend to venture into salt farming shall be given the same support training, 
and financing given to salt farmers, as provided under this Act.
SEC. 10. Identification of New Areas Suitable for Government-Funded Salt. 
Projects - The DA, through the BFAR and the National Fisheries Research and 
Development Institute (NFRDI), in coordination with the DENR shall spearheaded in 
the identification of the appropriate areas for the Philippine salt production, 
orchestrate partnerships with the DOST and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) 
in providing technical and laboratory services, and engage local government units 
(LGUs), mature cooperatives and local enterprises operating in the provinces where 
small-scale artisanal salt production is operational and/or large-scale salt farming is 
in need of expansion.
The DA-BFAR and DENR shall identify suitable areas for salt production 
including abandoned fishponds within two (2) years upon the enactment of this act 
and the NFRDI and/or SUCs shall provide technical services through the 
Agri/fisheries innovation hub or Technology Business Incubators in these provinces, 
taking into account the number of potential salt farmers and their families who shall 
benefit therefrom and address food traceability requirements including the type of 
salt produced (artisanal/gourmet salt, table salt, iodized salt), the salt 
farmer/consolidator/trader, volume and value generated and end-market to 
determine importance of salt production in the area: Provided, that this shall not 
prevent private individuals, associations, cooperatives, and corporations from 
investing in, and developing present and future salt farms, apart from government- 
funded salt projects.
SEC. 11. Registration, Construction, and Lease of Salt Farms. - The DA-
BFAR shall facilitate the prompt registration of salt farms as well as assist in the 
design, construction, and development of small-scale artisanal salt farms, either on 
its own or through partnership with the private sector, while the DOST shall provide


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the necessary technology in the construction of large-scale and salt farms employing 
modern technologies to increase production efficiency and environmentally-sound 
practices.
Whenever applicable and necessary, the DENR shall promptly act on the 
processing and issuance of permits and clearances, such as Environmental 
Compliance Certificates, prior to the construction of salt farms to ensure that such 
projects will not cause a significant negative impact on the environment.
The DA-BFAR shall identify suitable areas for lease, assist in the construction, 
rehabilitation, and/or expansion of small-scale artisanal salt farms, and provide 
technicai assistance for new investors or to sait farm operators undergoing 
expansion. The DA-BFAR shall regularly submit a report to ASInDeRO of the status 
of lease of Government-Funded Salt projects-newly constructed salt farms to 
investors. BFAR shall apply the prevailing fishpond rental rates: Provided, that this 
shall not in any way affect privately-owned salt farms or existing leases, such as 
those covered by Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLAs), with actuai occupants.
For purposes of eligibility and priority for the lease of the newly-constructed 
salt farms, the DA-BFAR shall come up with equitable criteria thereon for approvai 
by ASInDeRO, taking into consideration and priority to small salt farmers and 
artisanal salt farmers.
SEC. 12. Promotion of innovative technologies and best practices - The DA-
NFRDI, DOST and SUCs shall likewise showcase best practices, harness indigenous 
knowledge, and promote innovative technologies to effectively realize the Salt 
Industry Development Program. These agencies shall exert their best efforts, with 
the end-goal of increasing the number of food safety compliant salt farmers and 
producers through their SAFE Innovation Hubs or Salt Technology Demonstration 
Centers in the maintenance and development of the leased salt farms.
SEC. 13. Construction Lease Agreements to Include Salt Production. -
Consistent with the development plans on the revitalization of salt industry, the DA, 
in coordination with the LCDs and the resident-sait farmers, shall identify priority 
locations of Farm-to-Market Roads linking the salt farms to the market. The DA shall 
take into account the investment for salt farm to be undertaken in the area, the 
number of salt farmers and their families who shall benefit therefrom and the 
amount of salt produced or potentially produced salt farms. Therefrom, the DA shall 
undertake the construction, improvement, and maintenance of the Farm-to-Market 
Roads..
SEC.14. Funding for Development of Salt Farms, Lease of Government- 
Developed Salt Farms and Equipment. - The DA-BFAR, in consultation with 
individuals, corporations, associations, and cooperatives from the salt industry, will 
allocate and provide funding and technicai support needed for the maintenance, 
repair and upgrading of existing salt farms and newly constructed government- 
funded salt projects. The funds will cover materials, dike and canal repairs.


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equipment, and other items specified by industry stakeholders, ensuring the
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continued productivity and competitiveness of the salt industry.
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Government financial institutions such as, but not limited to, the Land Bank of 
the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), shall 
extend financial assistance to viable projects of eligible and credit worthy salt 
farmers, cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for the 
development, operation, and improvement of salt farms, lease of government- 
developed salt farms, and purchase of salt farming equipment.
SEC. 15. Training and Technological assistance - The DA, together with the 
DOST, DTI, FDA, and TESDA shall provide complementary training programs to 
develop/upgrade the skills and competencies of Philippines salt farmers and 
producers, ensure product traceability and compliance to food safety, technology 
acquisition including product labeling and packaging, conduct continuous training on 
market positioning for Philippine artisanal/specialty and industrial salts and such 
other skills necessary in the maintenance and development of the local salt industry. 
These agencies shall also assist the farmers to be able to effectively comply with the 
requirements of Republic Act No. 8172, otherwise known as "An Act for Salt 
lodization Nationwide (ASIN)".
SEC. 16. Institution of SAFE Innovation Hubs and Salt Technology 
Demonstration Centers and Funding for SUCs. - The DA, through the NFRDI 
and DOST shall establish SAFE Innovation Hubs and Salt Technology Demonstration 
Centers.
SEC. 17. Salt Farmers Cooperatives. - The Cooperative Development Authority 
(CDA) shall assist in the formation, organizational strengthening and financial 
literacy of cooperatives and their local salt farmers-members and producers in order 
that they can leverage their resources and provide sustainable operations and 
increase the number of successful cooperative-managed salt farms in the country.
SEC. 18. Trade and Export Assistance. - The DTI and DA shall assist and 
support local salt farmers in the trade and exportation of the Philippine sea salt. It 
shall enhance the capabilities and global competitiveness of potential and existing 
producers and exporters of sea salt through export financing; business matching; 
provision of trade and market information; organization of trade fairs and business 
missions; conduct of seminars, workshops, conferences and symposium on export- 
related subjects, including export documentation and procedures; product design 
and development; marked consultancy; and product consultancy.
The government will give preference to locally produced salt in government 
purchases.
SEC. 19. Incentives. - The DTI, through the Board of Investments (BOI) shall give 
the highest priority in its grant of incentives to businesses and industries with 
linkages to salt framing. It shall include in its Strategic Investment Priorities Plan the 
fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for Philippine sea salt farming, artisanal/specialty salt


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The DA-BFAR and NFRDI, DENR, DOST, DTI, DILG, LGUs and the CDA shall 
provide to salt producers the same benefits and livelihood programs that are 
provided to the fisherfolk sector.
SEC.20. Import Duties. - To cushion the impacts of imports on the local 
producers of traditional artisanal, or non-iodized salt in the country, the import 
duty/ies for these specific products shall be increased to a maximum (100) percent 
ad valorem. Subject to the ceiling commitment to trade agreements, where 
applicable. However, the Executive Branch may apply duty/ies lower than 100 
percent, as the need arises, following the process prescribed in the Tariff and 
Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), but in no case shall the applied import 
duty/ies be lower than the existing rate/s before the implementation of this Act or 
thirty (30) percent, whichever is higher. However, the existing tariff commitments 
for non-iodized salt under the abovementioned international agreements shall be 
maintained for the import duty/ies being applied before the implementation of this 
Act.
To effectively operationalize and implement the above provisions, the Tariff 
Commission (TC), DA, DTI, and Bureau of Customs (BOC) shall facilitate the 
establishment of separate and dedicated tariff nomenclatures for all traditional, 
artisanal, and non-iodized salt within (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 21. Research. - The DA-NFRDI shall conduct research, either on its own or in 
collaboration with SUCs, to enhance the technological development, provide 
applicable policy direction, and develop innovative project-based interventions that 
may be adopted and implemented to achieve the objectives of this Act. The DA shall 
collaborate with DOST and DTU to provide a common fund and financial resources 
to the cooperatives and local enterprises for this purpose.
SUCs shall also be awarded funding, grants, and subsidies to engage in 
research and development, extension training, and other related activities to 
upgrade the salt industry.
The research conducted shall also support the operation of the Salt 
Technology Demonstration Centers and the SAFE Innovation Hubs and Technology 
Business Incubators created under this Act.
SEC. 22. Human Resources Development. - All stakeholders in the salt industry 
shall contribute to the development of a sustainable human resource for the 
industry. Towards this end, the DOLE, in collaboration with the duly recognized salt 
associations and salt cooperatives. The Commission on Higher Education, the 
TESDA, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the private sector, shall 
formulate and implement a Human Resource Development (HRD) Master Plan for 
the salt industry which shall include, but not limited to. The following:
a. Capacity building, skills trainings, institutional strengthening of the salt 
farm workers, salt farmers and their organizations to actively 
contribute in productivity and competitiveness;
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b. Conduct of capability training or attendance to local international 
trainings and seminars by salt farmers and workers.
SEC. 23. Priority Commodity. - The DA shall ensure that salt is a priority 
commodity to be produced locally in areas or regions identified in the development 
plan for the revitalization of the salt industry. The required resources shall be 
allocated by the DA for this purpose.
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SEC 24. Classification of Salt Farms. - For purposes of determining the current 
market values, applicable lease rentals, and tax rates to be imposed by both the 
national government and the local government units, salt farms shall be classified as 
fishponds.
SEC. 25. Exemption of exported salt and salt sold in local gourmet outlets 
from mandatory iodization. - Philippine sea salt exported to other countries, 
those to be sold to local gourmet outlets, and those to be used for other commercial 
applications not related to food fortification such as, but not limited to, water 
treatment, feeds, and chemical processing, shall be exempt from mandatory 
iodization provided under the provision of Republic Act. No. 8172 or ASIN Law.
Food manufacturers restaurant and chefs may also be exempted from the 
mandatory use of iodized salt on their specific products under guidelines to be 
issued by the FDA when the taste or quality of the product will be significantly 
altered with the use of iodized salt.
SEC.26. VAT Exemption of Locally produced iodized salt. - Locally-produced 
iodized salt, being an agricultural and marine product in its original state, shall be 
exempt from the value-added tax.
SEC. 27. Control Measures. - Salt farmers or producers or salt shall register with 
the BFAR.
The BFAR shall adopt measures to ensure compliance with food safety 
guidelines of salt intended for human consumption; Provided that, salt which is not 
intended for food consumption shall not be subjected to food safety laws and 
guidelines.
The BFAR, through its regional offices, shall ensure that pure, un-iodized salt 
shall be promptly issued with necessary transport permits and certification 
documents for exportation purposes or sale to local gourmet stores.
Only small-scale salt farmers shall be allowed to sell food grade un-iodized 
salt to local gourmet stores. Local gourmet stores shall be allowed to sell registered 
Philippine un-iodized sea salt.
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Small, medium or large-scale salt farmers shall be allowed to export un­
iodized salt. Food grade salt, whether iodized or un-iodized shall be registered with 
the FDA.
SEC. 28. LGUs Assistance. - LGUs shall enact local ordinances to support the 
development of Philippine sea salt/artisanal/gourmet/specialty salt produced in their 
respective municipalities/cities and implement the ease-of-doing business. LGUs 
shall also ensure that the mandatory iodization program under the ASIN Law is 
being carried out in their locality but with due regard to the exemptions under 
Section 25 of this Act.
III. FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 29. Agencies' Regular Programs. - The mandates, functions and activities 
of the various departments and agencies identified in this Act shall be considered 
regular programs and shall be included in their annual budgets.
SEC. 30. Reporting. - The various departments and agencies specified in this Act 
shall provide regular updates to the ASInDeRO on the progress of their programs 
and activities toward the realization of the objectives of this Act.
SEC. 31. Report to Congress. - The ASInDeRO shail submit an annual report of 
the implementation of this act to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and 
Agrarian Reform and the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and 
Food.
SEC. 32. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall initially be charged to the appropriations of the agencies concerned as may 
be appropriated, under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such 
amounts as may be necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act from their respective budgets.
SEC. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The ASInDeRO created under 
Section 5 of this Act shall be created and convened within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act. Thereafter, it shall issue the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days from the approval of 
this act.
SEC. 34. Separability Clause.- any portion or provision of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying the other 
portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still 
subsist and be given effect.
SEC 35. Repealing Clause. - all laws,decrees, order rules and regulations or other 
issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
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SEC. 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
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general circulation.
Approved,
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