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   Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines imports much of the salt that Filipinos consume.  For the last 
11 years, (2009 to 2020), salt import, which also covered table salt and denatured salt, 
was valued at USD 303 million, coming from Australia (72%), China (18.7%), Thailand 
(4.2%) and New Zealand (2.39%).  In contrast, export of the same item in the same 
period was at a measly USD 1.3 million. 
Salt import is estimated at around 550,000 metric tons every year which 
constitutes around 93% of the salt requirement of the country.  Such an irony 
considering that the Philippines has 36,000 kilometers of shoreline – the fifth longest 
shoreline in the world – which can be utilized for massive salt production.  Indeed, 
challenges exist in the local salt industry, and the government must undertake 
immediate steps to address them, lest the country be completely dependent on 
imported salt.  
This was not always the case though as the Philippines was previously self-
sufficient in salt.  A myriad of factors contributed to its decline, including an outdated 
policy regime, low quality control and product improvement, limited sourcing/ 
development of new production areas, unattractive business environment for small 
enterprises and lack of new investments. The lack of innovation, focused interventions, 
and priorities to develop local industries led to its further deterioration and eroded the 
opportunities of local producers who had to face direct competition from imports over 
the last 30 years. 
The salt industry also failed to adapt to the changes brought by climate change, 
increased food safety standards and product quality requirements, tariff reduction, and 
mandatory iodization as directed by Republic Act No. 8172, otherwise known as an 
Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN).  Unfortunately, the success of the ASIN law 
in combatting the country’s iodine deficiency came with a price; local salt farmers were 
marginalized in the massive shift to iodization that required use of additional machinery 
and technology.  
Salt is a basic commodity and an essential ingredient for home cooking, food 
processing, water treatment, feed ingredients, and natural fertilizers for the coconut 
industry, among others. Salt has over 14,000 uses and is an important raw material 
for the production of many high value products and chemicals, making it a key product 
July 14, 2022
9:06 am
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for agro-industries and an essential element in the development of the country’s 
chemical industry. 
Developed countries, such as the United States, emphasize industrial 
production of sea salt to help food manufacturers enhance their products through 
innovative ingredient technology.  On the other hand, ASEAN-member States, such 
as Indonesia and Vietnam, have included salt self-sufficiency as part of their priorities 
for food, agricultural, and industrial development. 
The Philippines, given its natural resource endowments and comparative 
advantage, is unable to keep pace with these developments. Its failure to effectively 
orchestrate the production of locally farmed or harvested salt has resulted in additional 
dollars lost to imports which could have been used to create more opportunities for 
local enterprises. 
Institutionalizing an orchestrated approach to develop innovative specialty salt 
farms and increasing the local production of pure and authentic Philippine salt will 
support not only the food processing subsector, but will also increase organic chemical 
production to benefit agriculture and livestock. 
The government must lead the way in stimulating the local salt industry by 
supporting artisanal salt farmers to mainstream their products in local and export 
markets; access needed technology to ensure authenticity, traceability and food 
safety; avail of new production areas and appropriate technologies to scale-up local 
production that can lower importations; and effectively engage the private sector to 
leverage investments to ensure sustainability. 
A Comprehensive Salt Industry Development Program is needed to serve as 
an overarching policy to address policy gaps and technological challenges; identify 
and pursue strategic priority areas for social innovation and rural enterprise 
development; mobilize resources to reduce import dependence and achieve food 
sufficiency; leverage public funding and private sector investments from cooperatives, 
local enterprises  and small businesses; and create a level playing field for local 
industries to grow and prosper. It will utilize the agriculture and fisheries innovation 
hubs and technology business incubators (TBIs) nationwide to ensure an inclusive, 
market-oriented, resilient, and vibrant local economies. 
Compared to other agricultural commodities, the country’s local salt farming 
and artisanal salt-making technology is relatively classic and innovative, thus making 
the revitalization of the salt industry more manageable to plan and execute, to finance 
and scale, and to build opportunities for value-creation.  With enough will and 
commitment, these can be achieved. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RON P. SALO   
 KABAYAN Party List 


 
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   Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo 
AN ACT 
REVITALIZING THE SALT INDUSTRY, CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 
FOR ITS DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO SALT FARMERS AND 
EXPORTERS, PROVIDING FUND THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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.
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.
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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 only 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 (1,000) 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 three (3) hectares but not more than fifty (50) hectares of salt farms.  
 
k) Philippine sea salt refers to salt produced from the 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. 
 
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. 
 
o) 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. 
 


 
 
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p) Small-scale salt farmer/operator/producer refers to an individual, 
association, cooperative or corporation that owns or is a leaseholder of a salt 
farm of not more 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 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: 
 
x x x 
 
11. Commercial Scale – A scheme of producing a minimum amount per year of 
SALT or harvest 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; 
 
x x x 
 
22. Fish and Fishery Aquatic Products – include not only finfish but also 
mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, marine, mammals, and all other species 
of aquatic flora and fauna and all other products of aquatic living resources in 
any form, AND SALT. 
 
x x x 
 
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. 
 
x x x 
 
32. Fishpond – a land-based facility enclosed with earthen or stone material to 
impound water for growing fish AND/OR PRODUCING SALT. 
 
x x x 
 


 
 
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47. Fully developed Fishpond Area – a clean leveled area enclosed by dikes, 
at least one foot higher than the highest floodwater level in the locality and 
strong enough to resist pressure at the highest flood tide; consists of at least a 
nursery, a transition pond, a rearing pond, RESERVOIR 
POND, 
EVAPORATING POND, SALT CRYSTALIZER POND, or a combination of any 
or all said classes of ponds, and a functional water control system and 
producing in a commercial scale. 
 
(b) Section 46 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
SEC. 46. Lease of Fishponds / “FISHPOND WITH SALT FARMS” – 
Fishpond 
leased 
to 
qualified 
persons 
and 
fisherfolk 
organizations/cooperatives shall be subject to the following conditions… x x 
x 
a. Areas leased for Fishpond with Salt Farms shall be subject to Section 
3 (h), 3 (j), 3 (p) 
 
 
(b) 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. 
 
 
II. SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 
 
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 shall be mandated to ensure that the objectives of 
this Act are realized. It shall be composed of the following:  
 
(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as Chair; 
(b) Secretary of the Trade and Industry as Co-Chair;  
(c) Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as Vice-
Chair;  
 
Members:  
(d) Department 
of 
Science 
and 
Technology 
(DOST) 
Secretary 
or 
representative;  
(e) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary or 
representative;  
(f) Department of Health Secretary or representative; 
(g) Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary or 
representative; 
(h) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General or representative;  


 
 
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(i) 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 Agriculture shall choose or appoint from a list of salt 
producers and salt farmers that will be endorsed by the Cooperative or 
Association, for a term of two (2) years, and may be reappointed; Provided 
that the representatives on the first two (2) terms shall be from Pangasinan 
and Mindoro Occidental.  
 
SEC. 6. Functions. – The ASInDeRO shall have the following functions:  
 
1. Formulate and adopt policy directions, strategic action points, and 
guidelines for the effective implementation of this Act;  
2. Develop and approve short term, medium term and long term development 
plans, or a ten (10) year industry roadmap for the revitalization of the 
Philippine salt industry and pursue effective export strategies and 
developmental mechanisms to achieve competitiveness of Philippine sea 
salts, artisanal salt and/or specialty salts for gourmet and other industrial 
applications;  
3. Provide strategic directions and guidance to the various departments and 
agencies that play a vital role in the realization of the objectives of this Act;  
4. Oversee the implementation by the various departments and agencies 
mandated under this Act of their assigned tasks; 
5. Oversee the identification of new areas suitable for government-funded salt 
projects and the registration, construction and lease of salt farms;    
6. Provide needed support and determine the required investments both in the 
government and the private sector to achieve the objectives of this Act; 
7. Serve as a one-stop-shop for the processing of all permits required for the 
approval of a salt farm project; 
8. Ensure the harmonization of the rules and guidelines of various departments 
and agencies concerning salt;  
9. Approve the lease of newly constructed salt farms to qualified individuals, 
associations, cooperatives or corporations pursuant to Section 10 of this 
Act;  
10. Recommend to the Department of Budget and Management the required 
yearly appropriations for the identification and construction of salt farms, 
which shall be lodged with the Department of Agriculture; and  
11. Perform other functions necessary for the efficient and effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC 7. Program Management Office and Secretariat. – A Program 
Management Office (PMO) is hereby created which shall be headed by the 
Undersecretary of Fisheries under the Department of Agriculture, to oversee the 
overall implementation of the salt 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 shall perform 
functions such as to coordinate and manage the regular meetings of the ASInDeRO, 
prepare and/or consolidate reports for the PMO, monitor the implementation of policy 


 
 
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decisions that the ASInDeRO has adopted and liaise with all the member departments 
and relevant 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 salt 
farms shall be lodged with the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). 
 
SEC. 9. 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 spearhead in the 
identification of appropriate areas for 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 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 
identifying, investing in, and developing present and future salt farms, apart from 
government-funded salt projects. 
 
SEC. 10. 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 the 
necessary technology in the construction of large-scale 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 
technical assistance for new investors or to salt farm operators undergoing expansion. 
The DA-BFAR shall recommend to ASInDeRO the approval of the application for lease 
of Government-Funded Salt projects--newly constructed salt farms to investors, 
applying the prevailing BFAR 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 actual occupants. 


 
 
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For purposes of eligibility and priority for the lease of the newly-constructed salt 
farms, the DA shall come up with equitable criteria thereon for approval by ASInDeRO, 
taking into consideration and priority to small salt farmers and artisanal salt farmers.  
 
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 11. 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 12. Construction of Salt Farm Roads, to be known as Daan Asinan. – 
Consistent with the development plans on the revitalization of salt industry, the DA, in 
coordination with the LGUs and the resident-salt farmers, shall identify priority 
locations of roads linking the salt farms to the market, to be known as Daan Asinan. 
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 in the salt farms. Thereafter, the DA 
shall undertake the construction, improvement, and maintenance of the Daan Asinan. 
 
SEC 13. 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 technical 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, equipment, and 
other items specified by industry stakeholders, ensuring the continued productivity and 
competitiveness of the salt industry. 
 
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. 14. Exemption from Public Bidding Requirements. – Salt farm projects 
undertaken by farmers, farmers’ organizations, and other private entities whose 
funding is partly or wholly subsidized by the government or acquired by way of loan 
from government financial institutions are not covered by laws on procurement.  
 
SEC. 15. Training. – The DA, together with the DOST, DTI , FDA, and TESDA, 
shall provide complementary training programs to develop/upgrade the skills and 


 
 
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competencies of Philippine salt farmers and producers, ensure product traceability and 
compliance to food safety, technology acquisition including product labelling 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 Iodization 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, as defined under Secs. 3(o) and 3(q) of this Act.  
 
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 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; market 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 farming. It shall include in its Strategic Investment Priorities Plan the 
fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for Philippine sea salt farming, artisanal/specialty salt 
farming, commercial-scale salt production, refining and processing, and salt farm 
modernization. It shall likewise grant Pioneering Status to investments in the said 
activities. 
 
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 the WTO, ATIGA, AANZFTA, and RCEP, where 
applicable, subject to successful negotiations under these international agreements. 
However, the Executive Branch may apply duty/ies lower than 100 per cent, as the 
need arises, following the process prescribed in the Tariff and Customs Code of the 


 
 
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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) per cent, 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 six (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 DTI 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 Resources 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; 
 
b) Scholarship program for the underprivileged but deserving college and post 
graduate students who are taking up courses in relevant fields of discipline 
in SUCs which have programs in agriculture, agricultural engineering and 
mechanics, and chemical engineering/salt technology; and for vocational 
courses and skills development for farmers and farm technicians, and skilled 
workers in salt farms; and 
 
c) Conduct of capability training or attendance to local or 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 


 
 
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plan for the revitalization of the salt industry. The required resources shall be allocated 
by the DA for this purpose.  
 
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 provisions of Republic Act No. 8172 or ASIN Law.  
 
Food manufacturers, restaurants and chefs may also be exempted in 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.  – The sale of 
locally-produced iodized salt shall be exempt from the value-added tax. 
 
SEC. 27. Control Measures. – Salt farmers or producers of 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 are 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. 
 
Small, medium or large-scale salt famers 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, implement appropriate measures to ensure the 
ease-of-doing business and ensure that salt farmers or producers and local gourmet 
outlet owners are free from harassment on alleged non-compliance with iodization 
requirements for those exempted under Sec. 25 of this Act. Law enforcement units, 
including members of the Philippine National Police, shall ensure that those exempted 
from mandatory salt iodization are not unduly burdened.  


 
 
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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. Congressional Oversight. – There shall be a Congressional 
Oversight on the implementation of this Act composed of 5 representatives each 
coming from the Senate and the House of Representatives to be appointed by the 
Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.  
 
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 
amount as may be necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act from their respective budgets. 
 
A Salt Development Fund shall be created and funded from the tariffs on salt 
imports.  This fund shall be used to partially fund the identification, construction and 
development of government-funded salt farms as specified in this Act.  
 
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 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, orders, rules, and regulations 
or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
 SEC. 36. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in 
the Philippines. 
 
Approved.