Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila.

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

#2. House Bin No. 7238

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT PROMOTING AND REVITALIZING THE SALT INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8172, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT FOR
SALT IODIZATION NATIONWIDE (ASIN),” PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE_

Republic Act No. 8172, or "An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)" was signed into law by former
President Fidel V. Ramos in 1995 with the main objectives of protecting and promoting the health of Filipinos and
eliminating micronutrient malnutrition, particularly iodine deficiency disorders. The ASIN law mandated all
producers and manufacturers to iodize the salt that they produce, manufacture, import, trade, or distribute. This
requirement to iodize all salt for human and animal consumption, however, made it difficult for subsistence, small,
and medium salt farmers and producers to adapt, as it required technology and capital for them to fully comply and
remain in operation.

‘Today, the supply of salt in the Philippine market heavily relies on imports because of years of negligence in
the industry'. Furthermore, the Philippine Association of Salt Industry Networks (PhiIASIN) reported that the
Philippines imported 628,500 metric tons, or equivalent to 92% of the country's salt requirements in 2019 and 2020,
since local production was unable to meet demand”. More than 70% of the country's salt imports came from Australia,
with other sources including Thailand and China. Thus, imported salt is expected to reach 1,300,000 metric tons per
year. The same report revealed that the country uses up to 683,000 metric tons of salt annually, but the number is
‘expected to increase in the next few years due to the rapidly growing population’,

Such figures exist despite the fact that the Philippines has around a 36,000-kilometer coastline and 2,100
hectares for salt-making. This attests to the country having an untapped and neglected resource that could further
improve the quality of life of local slat farmers and families inhabiting coastal areas. About 60% of the country’s
population lives in coastal zones‘. However, only 50,000 Filipinos are recorded’ to have been previously employed in
salt production, with this number still dwindling.

' GMA News. Philippines to import salt amid supply problems ~ DA Exec. Published on 7 September 2022, Available at
https:/Awww.gmanetwork. com/news/money/economy/844004/philippines-to-import-salt-amid-supply-problems-da-exec/story/
(Accessed on 17 February 2023)
> CNN Philippines, 96% of PH salt might be imported by 2030, group warns. Published on 25 October 2022, Available at
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/10/25/PhilASIN-salt-import-2030.html (Accessed on 17 February 2023)
 Rappler News, What led to the demise of the Philippine salt industry, and what needs to be done. Published on 25 October
2022, Available at_https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/what-led-demise-needs-to-be-done-salt-industry-philippines/
(Accessed on 17 February 2023)
* The Global Environment Facility, The sea is the future: expanding coastal and marine protection in the Philippines, Published
on 26 June 2020, Available at  https://www.thegef.org/news/sea-future-expanding-coastal-and-marine-protection-philippines
(Accessed on 17 February 2023)

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It is with these statistics in mind, alongside the administration’s plan to improve the salt industry that this bill
is proposed. A Salt Industry Development and Revitalization program shall be established. To implement the
Program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) shall
prepare a Plan, governed by the following objectives:

1) Increased productivity and income of local salt producers and manufacturers;
2). Rehabilitation and modernization of the salt industry;

3) Increased number of local producers and manufacturers;

4) Protection and promotion of the livelihood and welfare of salt farmers;

5) Efficient delivery of support services;

6) Preservation of local and traditional production techniques; and

7) Promotion and development of marketing agenda for Philippine artisanal salt.

In an effort to improve the original ASIN Law, the Bill mandates local producers and manufacturers of food-
grade salt shall be encouraged, and not required, to iodize their salt production. Towards this end, the government
shall extend all the necessary technology transfer, capital, and support services. At the same time, all importers,
traders, and distributors of imported food-grade salt shall still be required to comply with the iodization standards set
under the ASIN law. The DA and the BFAR shall ensure that, despite importation, the Plan shall give preferential
attention to local salt producers and manufacturers.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

LonéPistrict, Quirino

* Manila Times, More nails for the salt sector's coffin, Published on 4 September 2022. Available at
https:/www.manilatimes.net/2022/09/04/opinion/columns/more-nails-for-the-salt-sectors-coffin/1857100 (Accesses on 17
February 2023)

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
‘Quezon City, Metro Mai

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
Bia sits

no, 223 f

House

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT PROMOTING AND REVITALIZING THE SALT INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8172, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT FOR
SALT IODIZATION NATIONWIDE (ASIN),” PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 "Salt Industry Development and Revitalization Act"

SEC. 2. Section 3 of R.A. No. 8172 or “An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)” is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"SEC. 3. Purposes. - The purposes of this Act are to:
a) xxx;

b) [require all] ENCOURAGE LOCAL producers AND [/] manufacturers of food-grade salt to iodize
the salt that they produce ANDJ;] manufacture [, import, trade or distribute];

©) require the Department of Health (DOH) to undertake iodization program for its [Bureau-ef Feed
‘and-Druigs(BFAD)] FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA), to set and enforce standards for food-
grade iodized salt and to monitor compliance thereof by the food-grade salt manufacturers;

XXX

f) direct the Department of Science and Technology (DOST}f,-in-eellaberation-with-the Technology.
and_Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC),] to initiate, promote, and cause the transfer of technology for salt
iodization;

XXX

j) REQUIRE ALL IMPORTERS. TRADERS, AND DISTRIBUTORS OF IMPORTED FOOD-
GRADE SALT TO COMPLY WITH THE IODIZATION STANDARDS SET UNDER THIS ACT: AND

k) DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA), BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND
AQUATIC RESOURCES (BFAR), DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI), DEPARTMENT.
OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY (DOST) TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SALT FARMERS, REVITALIZE THE LOCAL.
SALT INDUSTRY, AND ENSURE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR AQUATIC
RESOURCES.”


SEC. 3. Section 4 of R.A. No. 8172 is hereby amended. to read as follows:

“SEC 4. Definition of Terms — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

XXX

h) LOCAL PRODUCER OR Manufacturer - [one who produces, imports; trades-and-distributes-salt]
‘A PERSON, CORPORATION, OR ASSOCIATION THAT TRANSFORMS RAW MATERIALS OR
COMPONENTS, BY HAND OR BY MACHINE, INTO SALT, AND TRADES AND DISTRIBUTES SAID
PRODUCT. LOCAL SALT PRODUCERS OR MANUFACTURERS ARE CATEGORIZED AS
FOLLOWS:

1, SUBSISTENCE PRODUCER/MANUFACTURER — A PERSON OR ASSOCIATION
ENGAGED IN THE PRODUCTION, TRADE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF SALT NOT
EXCEEDING TWO METRIC TONS (2 M.T.) PER YEAR.

2. SMALL PRODUCER/MANUFACTURER - A PERSON, CORPORATION, OR
ASSOCIATION ENGAGED IN THE PRODUCTION, TRADE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF
SALT RANGING FROM MORE THAN TWO METRIC TONS (2 MT) TO THREE METRIC
TONS (3 MT) PER YEAR.

3. MEDIUM PRODUCER/MANUFACTURER - A PERSON, CORPORATION, OR
ASSOCIATION ENGAGED IN THE PRODUCTION, TRADE. AND DISTRIBUTION OF
SALT RANGING FROM MORE THAN THREE METRIC TONS (3 MT) TO TWO
THOUSAND METRIC TONS (2,000 MT) PER YEAR.

4. LARGE PRODUCER/MANUFACTURER - A PERSON, CORPORATION, OR
ASSOCIATION ENGAGED IN THE PRODUCTION, TRADE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF
SALT EXCEEDING TWO THOUSAND METRIC TONS (2,000 MT) PER YEAR.

THE BFAR SHALL MAINTAIN A REGISTRY OF ALL LOCAL PRODUCERS OR
MANUFACTURERS IN EVERY PROVINCE. THE SAME LIST SHALL BE PROVIDED TO
THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) FOR THE MONITORING OF
IODIZATION EFFORTS.

i) SALT IMPORTER, TRADER, AND DISTRIBUTOR ~ REFERS TO A PERSON, CORPORATION, OR
ASSOCIATION ENGAGED IN THE IMPORTATION, TRADE, AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF
IMPORTED SALT. THE FDA SHALL MAINTAIN A REGISTRY FOR THE MONITORING OF
COMPLIANCE WITH THE SALT IODIZATION PROGRAM. THE SAME LIST SHALL BE.
SUBMITTED BY THE FDA TO THE BFAR FOR THE PROPER MONITORING OF THE ENTIRE.
SALT INDUSTRY.


J) AQUATIC RESOURCES - INCLUDE FISH, ALL OTHER AQUATIC FLORA AND FAUNA AND
OTHER LIVING RESOURCES OF THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT.
LIMITED TO, SALT AND CORALS.

k) ILOCANO COOKED SALT - REFERS TO SALT PRODUCED IN THE ILOCOS REGION AND.
OTHER PROVINCES IN NORTHERN LUZON, WHICH IS PART OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE.
OF THE ILOCANO PEOPLE.

1) LOCAL FILIPINO SEA SALT - ALSO REFERRED TO AS 'SOLAR SALT AND 'TAKAL SALT, IS A
LOCALLY-PRODUCED SEA SALT BY SOLAR EVAPORATION OF SEA WATER INTO BRINE.

m) PHILIPPINE ARTISANAL SALT - REFERS TO LOCAL SALTS WHICH USE DIFFERENT AND
TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES. THIS INCLUDES ASIN TIBUOK PRODUCED IN
BOHOL, DULDUL SALT MADE IN GUIMARAS, ASIN SA BUY-O OF ZAMBALES, AND SUGPO
ASIN OF PANGASINAN, AMONG OTHERS.

SEC. 4. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended, to read as follows:

"SEC. 6. Support to the Salt Industry. - TO REVITALIZE THE SALT INDUSTRY AND SUPPORT
SUBSISTENCE AND SMALL SALT FARMERS/PRODUCERS/MANUFACTURERS, THERE IS
HEREBY CREATED A SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

THE BFAR SHALL PREPARE THE SALT INDUSTRY PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE PROGRAM, CONSISTING OF POLICY DIRECTIONS, STRATEGIC ACTION POINTS, AND
MEASURABLE TARGETS, CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS FUNCTIONS AND IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PLAN,
THE DA AND THE BFAR SHALL CONSULT WITH LOCAL SALT PRODUCERS AND.
MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS, TRADERS, AND DISTRIBUTORS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
UNITS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, AND CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) AND ITS
ATTACHED AGENCIES, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI), THE
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST), THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), AND THE
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA).

IN THE FORMULATION OF THE PLAN, THE DA AND THE BFAR SHALL BE GUIDED BY
‘THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:

A) INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME OF LOCAL SALT PRODUCERS AND
MANUFACTURERS;

B) REHABILITATION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE SALT INDUSTRY TOWARDS
PRODUCTIVITY;

C) INCREASED NUMBER OF LOCAL PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS;

D) PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE LIVELIHOOD AND WELFARE OF SALT
FARMERS;

E) EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SALT INDUSTRY;
F) PRESERVATION OF LOCAL AND TRADITIONAL SALT PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES;

AND
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G) PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING AGENDA FOR PHILIPPINE
ARTISANAL SALT.

THE PLAN SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES ON THE
IMPORTATION OF SALT: PROVIDED, THAT PREFERENTIAL ATTENTION SHALL BE GIVEN TO
LOCAL SALT FARMERS, PRODUCERS, AND MANUFACTURERS.

‘THE PLAN SHALL ALSO INCLUDE A SYSTEM OF INCENTIVES FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS
AND MANUFACTURERS TO ENCOURAGE THE PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURE OF SALT.
WITH APPROPRIATE IODINE CONTENT.

WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, THE DA SHALL
SUBMIT THE PLAN TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR APPROVAL.

THE DA AND THE BFAR SHALL ENSURE THAT THE SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAM IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SALT IODIZATION EFFORTS OF
GOVERNMENT. The following agencies and institutions shall support the salt iodization program through
their respective intemal programs.

a) The DTI is hereby required to assist and support local salt producers/manufacturers in upgrading their
Production technologies to include iodization [by helping them obtain soft leans and financial assistance
for the procurement of salt iodization machines, packaging equipment and technology fortificant, and] by
ensuring systematic distribution of the iodized salt in the market;

XXX
©) xxx; [and]
D) xxx

E) THE DTI, THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS CORPORATION, THE LAND BANK OF THE
PHILIPPINES (LBP), AND THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES (DBP) SHALL
PROVIDE SOFT LOANS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFIED SUBSISTENCE,
SMALL, AND MEDIUM PRODUCERS AND MANUFACTURERS FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF
SALT IODIZATION MACHINES, PACKAGING EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY FORTIFICANT,
AND SUCH OTHER PURPOSES THAT WILL FACILITATE THE GROWTH AND RECOVERY OF
THE SALT INDUSTRY; AND.

F) THE DOLE AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
SHALL DETERMINE AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING.
AND EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF WORKERS IN THE SALT INDUSTRY.

Xxx’

‘SEC. 5. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after the amended Section 6 of the same Act, to read as follows:

"SEC. 7. SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND. - THE AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR THE
INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION
PROGRAM SHALL BE CHARGED TO THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S APPROPRIATIONS, IN
CASE THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (GAA) WAS APPROVED BEFORE THIS LAW IS.
ENACTED: PROVIDED, THAT THE AMOUNT SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED.
MILLION PESOS (PS00,000,000.00) AND SHALL THEREAFTER BE INCLUDED IN SUBSEQUENT.
GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACTS.


THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED SHALL BE RELEASED DIRECTLY TO THE IMPLEMENTING
AGENCIES, BASED ON THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND
REVITALIZATION PLAN."

SEC. 6. Repeating Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other
issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any part, section, or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at
least two (2) newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,