REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Pangasinan 5th District Representative 
HON. RAMON V. GUICO III  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Salt is integral to human life in general. Aside from its essential nutrient value when 
consumed moderately, it is also one of the oldest and most ubiquitous food seasoning and is also 
an important element in food preservation. 
Knowing the importance of salt in the human diet and its viability as an economic industry, 
one would think that in the Philippines, with a coastline of 36,289 km, where majority of salt 
production can be derived, salt-making would be a lucrative undertaking. The reality of the 
situation, however, presents a dire circumstance; one that threatens the very existence of the salt 
farming industry if the government does nothing to intervene. 
In the 1990s, the salt-making industry was once a vibrant undertaking in the Philippines. 
The provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Mindoro, and Pangasinan once produced 85% of the country’s 
annual salt requirement. However, the industry has long since been crippled by climate change, 
urbanization, and the lack of modern salt-making techniques and technology. Salt flats or beds had 
been converted to more profitable industries such as fishponds, residential, or commercial 
properties. As a consequence, the country now only produces 20% of Filipinos’ annual salt 
requirements and we have come to rely on importing the remaining 80% from big salt-producing 
countries like Australia and China. Moreover, as cheap imports flooded the market, small-scale 
salt makers found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the competition and had therefore 
decided to give up salt making as a profession. 
These developments simply cannot be. Salt-making is not only a potentially lucrative 
business, but more importantly a way of life for many Filipinos. It is part of our proud heritage 
and tradition. In this representation’s home province of Pangasinan, the etymology of the 
province’s name literally means “place of salt” or “place of salt-making.” Famous local products 
such as bagoong or alamang, longganisa, cornik, among others are reliant on cheap, but good 
quality salt. . Salt farms are also becoming a tourist boon in Pangasinan, therefore providing a 
learning opportunity for people interested in learning the art of salt-making. Suffice it to say that 
it is an integral part of Pangasinan culture. 
As such, to save this ailing industry and hopefully transform it to a major industrial 
powerhouse, this bill is proposed. Under this Act, Advanced Salt Innovation (ASIN) Centers shall 
September 16, 2021
5:34 pm
10231


initially be established in the major salt-producing provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Mindoro, and 
Pangasinan with the prospect of establishing more should the need arise. These ASIN Centers will 
be responsible for reviving, promoting, developing, and preserving the salt-making industry in the 
country through various activities, programs, and projects intended to train salt makers in the 
modern techniques of salt-making; transfer vital technologies in the pursuit of the same; and 
conduct researches integral to improving salt production in the country. The ultimate goal of this 
Act is twofold, first is to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting the country’s salt requirements and 
second, to develop an export-oriented salt-making industry. 
Finally, aware of the need for a more integrated governmental approach to any government 
undertaking, the ASIN centers under the supervision and control of the Department of Agriculture 
shall coordinate with the appropriate government agencies to foster market linkages, both domestic 
and international; to develop salt-making techniques capable of withstanding the effects of climate 
change; to ensure that salt-making is environmentally safe and sustainable; and to promote the 
industry via farm tourism. 
For the reasons abovementioned, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. Ramon V. Guico III 


1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Pangasinan 5th District Representative 
HON. RAMON V. GUICO III  
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ADVANCED SALT INNOVATION (ASIN) 
CENTER TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE SALT-MAKING INDUSTRY IN THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled, 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “Advanced Salt Innovation 
1 
Act.” 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The Constitution provides that the State shall develop a 
4 
self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. It also provides 
5 
that the State shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological 
6 
capabilities, and their application to the country’s productive systems and national life. Towards 
7 
this end, the State shall establish various programs to enhance, promote, and preserve the salt-
8 
making industry in the Philippines. 
9 
10 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
11 
mean: 
12 
13 
a.
Philippine Advanced Salt Innovation Center (PAC) or ASIN Center shall
14 
refer to the Advanced Salt Innovation (ASIN) Centers in the University of
15 
Pangasinan in Lingayen, Pangasinan; Bulacan State University in Malolos,
16 
Bulacan; Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite; and the Mindoro State
17 
College of Agriculture and Technology in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro among
18 
other prospective ASIN Centers that shall be established pursuant to the
19 
provisions of this Act.
20 
b. Smallholder/s shall refer to salt makers producing salt from no more than five
21 
(5) hectares of salt beds/salt flats.
22 
23 
 SEC. 4. Establishment of the Philippine ASIN Center (PAC). – There is hereby created 
24 
a Philippine Advanced Salt Innovation (ASIN) Center, hereinafter referred to as PAC, which shall 
25 
be under the supervision and control of the Department of Agriculture (DA). 
26 
10231


2 
 
 
1 
 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the PAC. – The PAC shall have the following powers 
2 
and functions: 
3 
 
4 
a. Enhance, promote, and preserve the salt-making industry with the goal of 
5 
achieving self-sufficiency with respect to the country’s annual salt requirements 
6 
and exportation of the same; 
7 
b. Enable salt farmers, particularly smallholders to avail themselves of state-of-
8 
the-art salt-making equipment and technologies through an organized salt- 
9 
making innovation program; 
10 
c. Undertake training programs for salt makers, particularly smallholders, 
11 
designed to develop their capacities to undertake modern salt-making 
12 
techniques and operate modern salt-making equipment and technology. 
13 
d. Conduct research activities in all disciplines that lead to the improvement of 
14 
salt-making in the country; 
15 
e. Encourage coastal local government units to develop their own local salt-
16 
making industries and contribute to the goal of meeting the country’s annual 
17 
salt requirements; and 
18 
f. Enter into memoranda of agreement and received donations through the 
19 
Department of Agriculture from local and foreign sources. Upon the 
20 
recommendation of the PAC Advisory Board, the individual ASIN centers may 
21 
enter into agreements directly with funding agencies through their respective 
22 
board of regents or head of agency. 
23 
 
24 
SEC. 6. Priorities. – The PAC shall give priority to the following activities: 
25 
 
26 
a. Sustained increase in domestic salt production three (3) years after the 
27 
effectivity of this Act; 
28 
b. Development of effective salt –making strategies and techniques; 
29 
c. Socio-economic researches to ensure the viability and acceptance of technology 
30 
by salt makers;  
31 
d. Development of appropriate technologies that are cost-effective, simple, and 
32 
practical; 
33 
e. Enhancing salt farming capabilities of existing and potentially major salt-
34 
making regions;  
35 
f. Coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other 
36 
appropriate government agencies, to foster linkages between domestic and 
37 
international markets and salt makers to promote trade;  
38 
g. Coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology to develop 
39 
innovative salt-making techniques and technologies with emphasis on 
40 
preventing climate change from adversely affecting salt production; 
41 
h. Coordinate with the Department of Tourism to include and promote salt farms 
42 
in the farm tourism program of the department; and 
43 
i. Coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to 
44 
promote and develop a sustainable salt-making strategy. 
45 
 
46 


 
 
SEC. 7. PAC Advisory Board. – The PAC Advisory Board shall be composed of the: 
1 
 
2 
a. Secretary of Agriculture or his duly authorized representative, as Chairperson; 
3 
b. Undersecretary for Agri-Industrialization and for Fisheries, as Vice 
4 
Chairperson; 
5 
c. Secretary of Science and Technology or his duly authorized representative; 
6 
d. Secretary of Trade and Industry or his duly authorized representative; 
7 
e. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources or his duly authorized 
8 
representative. 
9 
f. Presidents of the Pangasinan State University, Bulacan State University, Cavite 
10 
State University, and Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology 
11 
and the presidents of the state colleges or universities where an ASIN center 
12 
may be established pursuant to this Act; 
13 
g. Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries; 
14 
h. Executive Director of the PAC; and 
15 
i. Salt farmers’ representative to be appointed by the Board. 
16 
 
17 
SEC. 8. Functions of the PAC Advisory Board.  – The PAC Advisory Board shall perform 
18 
the following functions: 
19 
 
20 
a. Formulate policies, programs, and projects for the development of the salt-
21 
making industry in the country; 
22 
b. Review and recommend the annual budget of the PAC; 
23 
c. Evaluate the implementation, efficiency, and effectiveness of the program and 
24 
projects of the PAC; and 
25 
d. Recommend the establishment or abolition of ASIN centers as may be deemed 
26 
necessary. 
27 
 
28 
SEC. 9. Executive Director of the PAC. – The Executive Director of the PAC shall be  
29 
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Executive Director of the PAC shall perform the 
30 
following functions: 
31 
 
 
32 
a. Oversee the implementation of the policies, programs, and projects of the PAC; 
33 
b. Assist the PAC Advisory Board in the review, evaluation, and monitoring of 
34 
the ASIN program; and 
35 
c. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the PAC Board. 
36 
 
37 
SEC. 10. Appointment of Directors or Project Leaders of Other ASIN Centers. – The  
38 
Directors or Project Leaders of the ASIN centers shall be appointed by the respective board of 
39 
regents or head of agency. 
40 
 
41 
 
SEC. 11. Functions of the Directors or Project Leaders of Other ASIN Centers. - Subject   
42 
to the policies of the PAC, the Directors or Project Leaders of other ASIN centers shall perform 
43 
the following functions:  
44 
 
45 


4 
 
a. Administer the policies, program and projects of the PAC in their respective 
1 
centers; 
2 
b. Recommend the creation of divisions and sections including the staffing pattern 
3 
of the centers; 
4 
c. Prepare the budget of their centers; 
5 
d. Approve the expenditures of their respective budgets; 
6 
e. Recommend to their respective head of agency the appointment of personnel or 
7 
consultants; 
8 
f. Recommend policies, programs and projects to the Executive Director of the 
9 
PAC; and 
10 
g. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Executive Director of 
11 
the PAC. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 12. Implementation and Coordination of the Program. — The PAC Advisory 
14 
Board through the Executive Director shall coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation 
15 
of the ASIN program. It shall identify, through the Directors of ASIN centers and Project Leaders 
16 
from the various implementing stations, the programs and projects in the areas of production, 
17 
processing, and marketing of salt. It shall formulate strategies relative to increasing annual national 
18 
salt production. The centers shall be located in Pangasinan State University in Lingayen, 
19 
Pangasinan; Bulacan State University in Malolos, Bulacan; Cavite State University in Indang, 
20 
Cavite; and the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology in Victoria, Oriental 
21 
Mindoro. These centers shall specialize in the development of salt farming strategies, techniques, 
22 
and requisite technologies to improve salt production with the goal of attaining self-sufficiency. 
23 
 
24 
 
SEC. 13. Salt Farmers’ Participation. – The salt farmer-participants shall be encouraged 
25 
to establish strong farmers associations or cooperatives to serve as focal point for government 
26 
assistance in the revival, development, and dissemination of technology on salt-farming. 
27 
 
28 
 
SEC. 14.  Participation of the Department of Agriculture and Local Government Units 
29 
(LGUs). — The ASIN centers, the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Agriculture 
30 
and the local government units where salt farming is viable shall implement a salt farming 
31 
development program within their respective areas in accordance with the national policy and 
32 
program of the PAC.  
33 
 
34 
 
SEC. 15. Use of Funds. – Not more than thirty percent (30%) of funds allocated under this 
35 
Act and in subsequent annual appropriations shall be used for personal services, and maintenance 
36 
and operating expenses, fifteen percent (15%) for research and development, and fifty-five percent 
37 
(55%) for salt farmers’ assistance, training, technology transfers, and other such activities, 
38 
programs, and projects necessary to improve the salt industry pursuant to the provisions of this 
39 
Act. 
40 
 
41 
 
SEC. 16. Annual Report. – The PAC submit an annual report to the Office of the President, 
42 
the Senate, and the House of Representatives indicating among others recommendations to further 
43 
improve salt production. 
44 
 
45 


 
 
SEC. 17. Transfer of Salt Farming Programs to the PAC. — Upon approval of this Act, 
1 
any existing salt farming programs and projects implemented by various agencies shall be 
2 
transferred to the PAC. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 18. Sunset Review. – Within six (6) years after the effectivity of this Act, or as the 
5 
need arises, the appropriate committees from the Senate and the House of Representatives shall 
6 
jointly conduct a sunset review. This review shall take into account the accomplishments and 
7 
impact of this Act, as well as the performance and organizational structure of its implementing 
8 
agencies, for purposes of determining remedial legislation. 
9 
 
10 
 
SEC. 19. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
11 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law 
12 
and thereafter. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
15 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly: 
16 
Provided; however, That nothing in this Act shall amend, modify or repeal the provisions of 
17 
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code. 
18 
 
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
19 
unconstitutional, the other parts not otherwise affected shall remain in full effect and force. 
20 
 
SEC. 22. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its 
21 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
22 
Approved,