NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 224
of ti]? #«■'i i'tnrj*
23 MAY 24 P5:10
RECEiVtD B\
(In substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 1334, 1450, 1685, 1718, 1870) 
2185 taking into consideration Senate Resolution No. 211)
Prepared by the Committees on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform; 
Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship; Finance; and Ways and Means with 
Senators Cynthia A. Villar, Joel Villanueva, Raffy T. Tulfo, Imee R. Marcos, 
Loren Legarda, Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay, and Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa
as authors thereof.
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING AND REVITALIZING THE SALT INDUSTRY IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION. 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Philippine
2 
Salt Industry Development Act".
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to promote
4 
rural development based on sound agricultural productivity, increase in rural
5 
income through enterprises that make full and efficient use of human and
6 
natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign
7 
markets. For this purpose, the State shall provide support through appropriate
8 
technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and
9 
other support services to revitalize the salt industry, attain increased production
10 
by salt farmers and salt producers, achieve salt self-sufficiency, and become a
11 
net exporter of salt.
12 
It is further the policy of the State to preserve, protect, and rehabilitate


1 
the natural environment in the actualization of its developmental policies.
2 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
3 
terms are hereby defined as follows:
4 
a. Artisanal Sait refers to unrefined salt, derived directly from a living
5 
sea or ocean, harvested through the process of cooking, smoking or
6 
solar evaporation. Regardless of the manner of production, it retains
7 
natural traces of minerals coming from sea water.
8 
b. Food-grade salt refers to salt for human and animal consumption.
9 
c. Iodized salt refers to salt artificially coated with iodine.
10 
d. Industrial salt refers to salt used in the treatment, processing,
11 
and/or manufacture of non-food commercial products.
12 
e. Salt Farm refers to areas of land, shorelines, or coastal areas,
13 
including its buildings, machineries, and equipment used in salt
14 
production. Salt farms may be classified as:
15 
i. Small-scale Salt Farm- salt farm of not more than
16 
three (3) hectares;
17 
i i. Medium-scale Salt Farm- sa It fa rm of more tha n th ree
18 
(3) but not more than fifty (50) hectares;
19 
iii. Large-scale Salt Farm- salt farm of more than fifty
20 
(50) but not more than five hundred (500) hectares for
21 
individuals and not more than 1,000 hectares for an
22 
association, cooperative or corporation.
23 
f. Salt Producer refers to an individual, corporation, cooperative or
24 
association involved in the production of salt.
25 
g. Salt Production refers to the process of generating salt from salt
26 
water utilizing solar evaporation or cooking and other acceptable
27 
methods.
28 
SEC. 4. Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap (Salt
29 
Roadmap). - For the attainment of the objectives of this Act, there shall be
30 
formulated and established a Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap
31 
(Salt Roadmap), which shall include, but not limited to, programs, projects and
32 
interventions for the development and management, research, processing.


1 
utilization, business modernization, and commercialization of Philippine salt.
2 
The Roadmap shall include the following objectives, among others:
3 
a. Increase salt production in order to attain salt-self-sufficiency, and
4 
become a net exporter of salt;
5 
b. Encourage salt farming and expand the number of salt-producing areas;
6 
c. Ensure the sustainable production, management and harvesting, and
7 
soil and water conservation practices in salt-farming areas;
8 
d. Promote public and private investments in the salt industry development
9 
programs;
10 
e. Ensure the sustainability and viability of the salt industry through the
11 
establishment of cooperatives among salt farmers and salt producers in
12 
order to optimize local production and improve access to government
13 
interventions, assistance, and incentives;
14 
f. Advance market access for Philippine salt products locally and
15 
internationally;
16 
g. Support research and development (R&D) activities for salt production
17 
and processing and introduce new and appropriate technology based 
on
18 
R&D outputs;
19 
h. Ensure regular funding for salt production, processing, commercial and
20 
marketing programs and projects and provide technical and financial
21 
assistance in the local design and fabrication of high-capacity processing
22 
equipment and machineries for the salt industry; and
23 
i. Provide continuous training and capacity building in the salt industry
24 
development;
25 
SEC. 5. Creation of Philippine Sait Industry Development
26 
Council (Sait Council). - To ensure the unified and integrated
27 
implementation of the Salt Roadmap and accelerate the modernization and
28 
industrialization of the Philippine Salt industry, a Philippine Salt Industry
29 
Development Council (Salt Council) is hereby created with the following
30 
composition:
31 
(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), as Chairperson;


1 
(b) Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),
2 
as Vice-Chairperson;
3 
Members:
4 
(c) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
5 
(d) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
6 
(DENR);
7 
(e) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
8 
(f) Secretary of the Department of Flealth (DOFI);
9 
(g) Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT);
10 
(h)Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Flighways (DPWH);
11 
(i) Chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA);
12 
(j) Chief Executive Officer of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP);
13 
and
14 
(k)One representative each from the League of Provinces of the
15 
Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, and League of
16 
Municipalities of the Philippines;
17 
(I) One (1) representative from the private sector engaged in salt-
18 
production business;
19 
(m) Three (3) representatives from the salt farmer cooperative, two
20 
(2) representing Luzon and one (1) representing Visayas and
21 
Mindanao.
22 
Provided, That the representatives from business sector shall be
23 
chosen by BFAR from a list of three (3) nominees submitted to it by
24 
the sector; representatives from the cooperatives shall be chosen by
25 
BFAR from a list of five (5) nominees for Luzon and three (3) for the
26 
Visayas and Mindanao submitted to it by the sector.
27 
SEC. 6. Functions of the Salt Council. - The Sait Council shall
28 
have the following powers and functions:
29 
a. Formulate the five (5)-year Salt Roadmap, which shall contain the
30 
short-term, medium term, and long-term development plan
31 
(Development Plan) for the industry, which shall be updated yearly,
32 
or earlier, as determined by the Salt Council;


1 
b. Identify specific and priority programs and projects in support of, and
2 
in line with the Roadmap;
3 
c. Provide development funds and technical assistance to salt farmers
4 
and the industry. The support shall be commensurate to the size of
5 
the salt farm;
6 
d. Identity sources of financing and facilitate credit windows with
7 
government banks and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)
8 
to expand the salt industry development;
9 
e. Increase production of local salt by increasing land area devoted to
10 
salt and improving farm productivity;
11 
f. Institutionalize capacity building for salt farmers through the joint
12 
undertaking of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and BFAR
13 
provincial offices under the Post-Harvest Training Division (PHTD);
14 
g. Strengthen market linkage and promotion of Philippine salt;
15 
h. Conduct continuing research and development on innovation and
16 
modernization of the salt industry;
17 
i. Establish an Agri-Insurance Program for Salt producers:
18 
j. Submit annual reports, not later than June 30, to the Office of the
19 
President and to each House of Congress, on the status of the
20 
Implementation of the Roadmap and the salt industry development
21 
in the country;
22 
k. Recommend to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
23 
the required yearly appropriations for the plan and implementation
24 
of the salt development programs;
25 
I. Promulgate such rules and regulations, and exercise such other
26 
powers and functions, as may be necessary to carry out the
27 
objectives of this Act; and
28 
m. Constitute the staffing complement of the PMO-Secretariat with the
29 
power to create and abolish positions.
30 
SEC. 7. Creation of a Program Management Office (PMO). -The
31 
DA, through the BFAR, shall lead in the implementation of the Development
32 
Plan. Towards this end, a Program Management Office (PMO) is hereby created


1 
under the Office of the BFAR Director to oversee the overall implementation of
2 
the Development Plan and the monitoring of its execution by the implementing
3 
agencies and/or partners. Further, the PMO shall also assume and perform
4 
secretariat functions such as to coordinate and manage the regular meetings
5 
of the Salt Council, prepare and/or consolidate reports, monitor the
6 
implementation of policy decisions that the Salt Council has adopted and liaise
7 
with all the member departments and relevant agencies of the government.
8 
The PMO shall have a staff complement, as approved by the Salt Council.
9 
SEC. 8. Salt as an Aquatic Resource Product - Salt, unprocessed
10 
or processed, is hereby classified as an aquatic resource product.
11 
The DA shall also ensure that salt is a priority commodity to be produced
12 
locally in areas or regions identified in this Act. The required resources shall be
13 
allocated by the DA for this purpose.
14 
SEC. 9. Mapping and Determination of Public Lands for Sait
15 
Production; Role of the DENR and BFA R. -
16 
Most areas suitable for salt production are public lands which are
17 
currently within the administrative jurisdiction of the DENR and the BFAR.
18 
Pursuant to this Act, the DENR and its attached agency, the National
19 
Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and the BFAR are
20 
hereby mandated to map out, identify, and designate public lands, including
21 
portions of municipal waters, as salt production areas. They shall prioritize
22 
public lands situated in the following provinces that are identified as suitable
23 
for salt production (Type 1 Climate), namely: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union,
24 
Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan,
25 
and Antique, which are now hereby declared as priority areas for salt
26 
production. They shall finish the task within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
27 
of this Act: Provided, That public lands in other regions shall also be
28 
subsequently mapped out. Identified and designated as potential salt
29 
production areas, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act:
30 
Provided further, That the result of the mandatory mapping,
31 
identification, and designation of public lands for salt production shall be shared
32 
with the public, through the DENR and BFAR websites or otherwise, as their


1 
respective agency rules shall allow, so as to inform interested salt Industry
2 
investors: Provided furthermore, That they shall also provide a report on the
3 
completion of this mapping, identification, and designation to both Houses of
4 
Congress through the COCAFM.
5 
SEC. 10. Transfer of Public Lands Identified as Suitable for Salt
6 
Production from DENR to BEAR. - The DENR is hereby mandated to
7 
transfer public lands mapped out, identified, and designated as suitable for salt
8 
production under its administrative jurisdiction to BFAR. It shall do so within
9 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
10 
SEC. 11. Allocation and Use of Public Lands for Sait Production;
11 
Roie of BFAR; Miscellaneous Provisions. —
12 
BFAR is hereby mandated to allocate public lands for salt production to
13 
qualified salt producers. For this purpose, it shall issue a tenurial instrument
14 
(herein referred to as the Salt Production Tenurial Instrument) to qualified salt
15 
producers for the use of these public lands, certified copies of which shall be
16 
furnished the Salt Council through the PMO: Provided, 
That tenurial
17 
instruments on public lands already issued to private entities shall be
18 
respected: Provided further. That tenurial instruments issued for salt
19 
production shall be strictly used only for the purpose for which it was granted,
20 
and that public land with salt farms shall not be converted to other uses, other
21 
than for fisheries and aquaculture purposes: Provided furthermore, That the
22 
procedure for such Issuance shall take into utmost consideration Republic Act
23 
No. 11032 or the "Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service
24 
Delivery Act."
25 
a) Sait Production Tenurial Instrument (SPTI)
26 
An application for a Salt Production Tenurial Instrument (SPTI) on a
27 
public land for salt farm production shall be submitted to BFAR. BFAR shall Issue
28 
the SPTI to qualified salt producers, which shall indicate, 
inter alia, the
29 
following:
30 
1) Name and other relevant information about the grantee;
31 
2) Terms and conditions In the use of the salt farm;
32 
3) Period of use of the public land on which the salt farm is located;


1 
4) Conditions for termination, which shall include an undertaking to
2 
meet the period within which the salt farm should have been
3 
constructed and In operation, reckoned from the approval and
4 
granting of the SPTI and to protect and preserve critical habitat for
5 
marine life in the area; and
6 
5) Metes and bounds of the salt farm.
7 
Provided, That nothing herein shall be added that contradicts the
8 
principles and provisions in the "Ease of Doing Business and Efficient
9 
Government Service Delivery Act": Provided further, That new/renewal/transfer
10 
of application for SPTI shall be submitted to the BEAR Provincial Office, which
11 
shall process and issue the SPTI applied for within forty five (45) days from the
12 
complete submission of the four (4) requirements enumerated In subparagraph
13 
(b) of this Section, failure in the issuance of which shall render the application
14 
approved and BEAR shall immediately issue the SPTI applied for to the
15 
applicant: Provided furthermore. That the SPTI shall bear at most two (2)
16 
signatures of the officers of BEAR.
17 
b) Quaiification of Sait Producers Appiying for SPTI
18 
The BEAR shall approve application for SPTI on the bases of only the
19 
following four (4) requirements:
20 
1) Certificate of Registration as a salt producer, secured under Section
21 
13 of this Act;
22 
2) The applicant has an investible funds for actual use for salt farm
23 
development of not less than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) per
24 
hectare of salt farm applied for, supported by a bank certification of
25 
the availability of such funds;
26 
3) The applicant has an outstanding track record of engaging in salt
27 
farm business or other related business for at least three (3) years,
28 
or has an actual experience in salt production 
for at least three (3)
29 
years: Provided, That Cooperatives/Associations of marginalized salt
30 
producers/farmers may present certification and endorsement from
31 
the local government unit(s) within which their intended salt farm is
8


1 
located of their capability to manage and operate a salt farm, in lieu
2 
of the three (3)-year period requirement; and
3 
4) Payment of rental fee for the use of said public land in the amount
4 
equal to current rates exacted by BFAR on the use of these public
5 
lands.
6 
Provided, That Cooperatives/Associations of marginalized salt
7 
producers/farmers shall be given preferential treatment in the grant of SPTI
8 
and shall be allowed rent-free use of the public land on which the salt farm and
9 
its facilities are built for a period of three (3) years from the start of salt farm
10 
operations: Provided further, That said Associations/Cooperatives shall present
11 
authenticity of the nature and composition of its members through Certification
12 
from the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
13 
(DSWD) and the LGU where he/she resides: Provided furthermore, That
14 
misdeclaration or falsification or any other false deed to conceal the real nature
15 
and composition of its members shall render its officers liable for criminal acts
16 
under existing laws.
17 
c) Period of Use of Pubiic Land for Sait Farm
18 
The salt producer with a SPTI shall be allowed use of public land for salt
19 
production for twenty-five (25) years, renewable for another twenty-five (25)
20 
years: Provided, That the lease agreement shall be subject to early termination
21 
upon a determination by BFAR, upon due process, of the grantee's violation of
22 
the provision(s) in the SPTI.
23 
d) Limitations on the Size of Sait Farms
24 
Individuals may lease up to five hundred (500) hectares of salt farms.
25 
Corporations, associations, and cooperatives may lease up to 1,000 hectares.
26 
A lease applicant may apply for a lease for more than one area and hold several
27 
lease agreements, but in no case shall the total area of such multiple lease
28 
agreements exceed the limits prescribed under this provision.
29 
SEC. 12. Utilization of Pubiic Lands Already Issued Fishpond
30 
Lease Agreements (FLAs) for Salt Production; Other forms of public
31 
land possession. - Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLAs) issued by BFAR before
32 
the enactment of this law may now include salt production as among the valid


1 
activities that may be undertaken by the leaseholder: Provided, That if the
2 
lessee so decides to engage in salt production, such lease agreement, or such
3 
portion of that public land under the FLA to be used for salt production, shall
4 
be governed by the provisions of this Act. In such case, the already issued FLA
5 
shall be amended accordingly to reflect salt production: Provided, That the
6 
period in the amended FLA for salt production shall state the full twenty-five
7 
(25)-year period.
8 
If other public lands identified for salt production purposes under this
9 
Act are already in the possession of private entities, BFAR shall notify the
10 
possessor that such public land has been identified as suitable for salt
11 
production, and if the possessor shall accede to develop such public land into
12 
salt production area, then the process of developing the 
area into salt
13 
production shall continue in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
14 
SEC. 13. Registration as Salt Producer, Control Measures. - All
15 
salt producers, whether holders of SPTI or otherwise, shall register with the
16 
BFAR. The BFAR shall draw a list of qualification requirements for salt
17 
producers, which shall take with utmost consideration the "Ease of Doing
18 
Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act".
19 
Upon complete submission of the qualification requirements, BFAR shall
20 
issue the Certificate of Registration as a salt producer, or a notice of the denial
21 
of the application for registration, accompanied by an explanation for such
22 
denial, within forty-five (45) days from completion. The failure of BFAR to act
23 
on the application renders the application approved, and it shall immediately
24 
issue the said Certificate of Registration. An appeal for such denial shall be filed
25 
with the BFAR Director within fifteen (15) days from receipt of Notice of Denial,
26 
which in turn shall be decided with administrative finality by the Director, within
27 
fifteen (15) days from filing.
28 
BFAR shall continue to implement measures ensuring compliance of salt
29 
producers with food safety laws and guidelines intended for human and animal
30 
consumption: Provided, That any salt product which is not intended for food
31 
consumption shall not be subjected to food safety laws and guidelines. In this
32 
regard, BFAR shall tap the expertise of the Philippine Council for Agriculture,
10


1 
Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and the
2 
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).
3 
The BFAR Regional Offices shall ensure that pure, un-iodized salt shall
4 
be issued the necessary transport permits and certification documents.
5 
SEC. 14. Support for the Development of Salt Farms and Salt
6 
Producers. -
1 
The DA-BFAR, in consultation with individuals, corporations,
8 
associations, and cooperatives from the salt industry, shall provide technical
9 
support in the development and operation of existing salt farms. It shall assist
10 
in the design of small and medium scale artisanal salt farms, either on its own
11 
or through partnership with the private sector, while the DOST shall provide
12 
the necessary technology in the construction of large-scale salt farms
13 
employing modern technologies to increase production efficiency and
14 
environmentally-sound practices.
15 
BFAR is hereby mandated and authorized to grant financial and technical
16 
assistance to small and medium scale salt producers, indirectly through its
17 
implementing partners, or directly through its own projects and programs for
18 
the salt Industry, on the following concerns:
19 
a) Establishment of salt farm warehouses;
20 
b) Provision of salt production materials, machinery, and equipment;
21 
c) Conduct of capability building/training;
22 
d) Establishment and strengthening of salt producers cooperative;
23 
e) Development of modern salt production and processing technology.
24 
This mandate shall be funded out of the regular annual budget of BFAR,
25 
and from other sources by law or otherwise, over and above what BFAR has
26 
been receiving on its other programs.
27 
SEC. 15. Construction of Salt Farm Roads. - Consistent with the
28 
Development Plan, the DA-BFAR, in coordination with the Local Government
29 
Units (LGUs) and the resident-salt producers, shall identify priority locations of
30 
roads linking the salt farms to the market, which shall be known as Daan
31 
Asinan. In the construction of the Daan Asinan, the DA-BFAR shall consider the
32 
investment cost for salt production in the area, the number of salt producers
11


1 
and their families who shall benefit from the venture and the amount of salt
2 
produced or to be potentially produced in the salt production areas. Thereafter,
3 
the DA-BFAR shall coordinate with the DPWH for the latter to undertake the
4 
construction, improvement, and maintenance of the Daan Asinan.
5 
SEC. 16. Research and Promotion of Salt Farming
6 
Methodologies and Techniques. - The Department of Agriculture- National
7 
Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), in close
8 
coordination with the DOST, shall spearhead the development of the latest
9 
technology in salt production, particularly technology that allows year-round
10 
production of salt even under erratic weather patterns. It shall also develop
11 
technologies that promote alternative methods and cost-effective techniques in
12 
salt production.
13 
The DA-NFRDI shall immediately transfer the results of their completed
14 
study/technology/product to salt producers/manufacturers.
15 
SEC. 17. Training Programs. - The Agricultural Training Institute
16 
(ATI) and BFAR shall provide complementary training programs that shall
17 
develop and upgrade the skills and competencies of Philippine salt producers,
18 
ensure product traceability and compliance to food safety, hasten technology
19 
acquisition Including product labelling and packaging, enhance skills on market
20 
positioning for Philippine artisanal/specialty and Industrial salts and such other
21 
capabilities necessary in the maintenance and development of the local salt
22 
Industry.
23 
SEC. 18. Corps of Sait Production Trainers. - Within thirty (30) days
24 
from the effectivity of this Act, BFAR shall form the Corps of Trainers for salt
25 
production, whose members shall be recruited from BFAR personnel in the
26 
provinces, under the PHTD; experts from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
27 
with a track record for studying and researching on salt production and post-
28 
production techniques and technology; experts from ATI; and from
29 
practitioners in actual salt farm production in the country. The Corps members
30 
shall be tasked to help out in the establishment of salt farms in areas designated
31 
as such by this Act. BFAR shall spend for their travel, lodging, honoraria and
32 
other necessary expenses, within existing budgetary rules.
12


1 
SEC. 19. Model Salt Farms, - BFAR shall establish model salt farms
2 
from existing salt farms in the country, at least two (2) in Luzon, one (1) each
3 
in the Visayas and Mindanao, within three hundred sixty-five (365) days from
4 
the effectivity of this Act. The model farms shall showcase the best practices in
5 
salt farm production and use of technology. They shall be visited and studied
6 
by salt producers all over the country.
7 
SEC. 20. Salt Farmers Cooperatives and Association, - The
8 
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) shall assist in the formation,
9 
organizational strengthening, and financial literacy of cooperatives and their
10 
local salt farmers-members and producers. It shall aim to build capabilities of
11 
cooperatives and associations to leverage their own resources, run sustainable
12 
operations, and increase the number of successful cooperative-managed salt
13 
farms in the country.
14 
SEC. 21. Trade and Export Assistance, - The DTI and the DA shall
15 
assist and support local salt producers in the trade and exportation of their
16 
product. They shall enhance the capabilities and global competitiveness of
17 
potential and existing producers and exporters through export financing;
18 
business matching; provision of trade and market information; organization of
19 
trade fairs and business missions; conduct of seminars, workshops,
20 
conferences and symposium on export-related subjects, including export
21 
documentation and procedures; product design and development; and market
22 
and product consultancy. The government shall give preference to locally
23 
produced salt in government purchases.
24 
SEC. 22. Roie of LG Us, - LCDs shall, as far as practicable, establish
25 
their respective Salt Industry Development Task Force (Salt Task Force). LGUs
26 
shall regularly conduct a survey of existing salt farms and salt processing
27 
enterprises in their respective localities.
28 
LGUs in cooperation with the DENR, BFAR, DA-NFRDI, and DTI and the
29 
appropriate DOST-Regional Office shall identify appropriate areas for local salt
30 
production in their respective localities.
13


1 
SEC. 23. Importation and Exportation of Salts, - No person shall
2 
import and/or export salt without first securing a permit from the following
3 
agencies:
4 
a. DA-BFAR and DOH-FDA- for food grade salt; and
5 
b. DA-BFAR- for non-food grade salt.
6 
The DOFI-FDA and DA-BFAR are hereby mandated to harmonize and
7 
streamline their processes.
8 
SEC 24. Mandatory Use of Domestically-Produced Sait - The
9 
government shall mandate the use of domestically-produced salt in its
10 
programs, including the fertilization of coconut farms by the Philippine Coconut
11 
Authority (PCA).
12 
SEC. 25. National lodization Program. - Notwithstanding the
13 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8172 or the "ASIN Law" salt iodization for food-
14 
grade salt is hereby rendered optional in the country, thereby modifying
15 
accordingly Sections 3 and 5 of said Act: Provided, That the DOFI shall review
16 
and continue in the implementation of the existing national iodization program
17 
and shall explore and institutionalize programs to continue salt iodization in the
18 
country. Such programs shall encourage and incentivize salt producers to iodize
19 
the production of food-grade salt.
20 
For this purpose, the DOH shall develop guidelines for the
21 
implementation of this new mandate, taking into consideration international
22 
trade nuances and standards impacting on local food manufacturers and
23 
exporters.
24 
The DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-
25 
FPRDI) is hereby tasked to develop and implement a comprehensive program
26 
for the acquisition, design, and manufacture of salt iodization equipment, and
27 
the further development of salt iodization technology.
28 
SEC. 26. Incentives. - The following incentives shall be provided to
29 
investors in salt farms development and salt processing facilities:
30 
a. The Board of Investments shall classify salt farms as preferred areas
31 
of investment under its Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) subject to
32 
pertinent rules and regulations;
14


1 
b. Salt farm owners, salt processors and other related businesses shall
2 
be exempt from the payment of import duties for imported machines
3 
and equipment to be actually and directly used in their businesses,
4 
subject to pertinent rules and regulations;
5 
c. The salt producers and processors shall be given priority to access
6 
credit assistance and guarantee schemes granted by Government
7 
Financial Institutions (GFIs); and
8 
d. Salt farm development and their equipment shall be covered by the
9 
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
10 
SEC. 27. Tariff on Sait - There shall be levied, collected, and paid
11 
upon all imported salt a duty of nine percent (9%) ad valorem, subject to
12 
existing free trade agreements.
13 
Tariff collections shall be credited automatically to a special account
14 
with the National Treasury, which shall be in place within ninety (90) days from
15 
the effectivity of this Act, for the purpose of developing the salt industry.
16 
Salt imports include imported products under the following HS headings
17 
or AHTN Codes, the Descriptions:
18 
2501 - Salt (including table salt and denatured salt) and pure sodium
19 
chloride, whether or not in aqueous solution of containing added anti-caking or
20 
free flowing agents; sea water.
21 
i. 
2501.00.10 
- Table salt
22 
ii. 
2501.00.20 
- 
Unprocessed rock salt
23 
Hi. 
2501.00.50 
- 
Sea water
24 
iv. 
- Other
25 
V. 
2501.00.51 
- 
Salt, denatured, industrial
26 
vi. 2501.00.91 
- With sodium chloride content more than
27 
60% but less than 97%, calculated on a dry basis, fortified with iodine.
28 
vii. 
2501.00.93 
- 
Other, with sodium chloride content 97%
29 
or more but less than 99.9%, calculated on a dry basis.
30 
ix. 2501.00.99 
- Other
31 
SEC. 28. Creation of the Sait Industry Deveiopment and
32 
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (SIDCEF). - The Salt Industry
15


1 
Development and Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (SIDCEF) is hereby
2 
created from the salt tariff collections account with the National Treasury.
3 
The allocation and utilization of the SIDCEF shall be subject to the
4 
following guidelines:
5 
a) SIDCEF shall be earmarked, released, and implemented as follows:
6 
1) Establishment of salt farm warehouses/storage areas; twenty-five
7 
percent (25%) of the available fund at a given time; to be utilized
8 
and implemented by BEAR;
9 
2) Provision of salt production materials, machinery, and equipment;
10 
twenty-five percent (25%); to be utilized and implemented by BEAR;
11 
3) Conduct of capability building/training; fifteen percent (15%); to be
12 
utilized and implemented equally 
by the ATI and BEAR Provincial
13 
Offices;
14 
4) Provision of easy-access, low-interest loans; ten percent (10%); to
15 
be serviced 
by LBP;
16 
5) Establishment and strengthening of salt producers cooperative; five
17 
percent (5%); to be implemented by the Cooperative Development
18 
Authority (CDA);
19 
6) Development of modern salt production and processing technology;
20 
ten percent (10%); to be utilized and implemented by the NFRDI;
21 
7) Construction of Roads or 'xDaan Asinari') ten percent (10%); to be
22 
utilized and implemented by DPWFI.
23 
b) The Secretary of the DA and BFAR Director shall be accountable and
24 
responsible for the management and utilization of the said fund in
25 
coordination with the other government agencies concerned;
26 
c) The amount allocated shall be released directly to the implementing
27 
agencies as provided for in this Act based on the objectives of the Salt
28 
Industry Development Roadmap. Provided, That the unutilized portion
29 
of the SIDCEF shall not revert to the general fund but shall continue to
30 
be used for the purpose for which it was set aside. The fund releases
31 
shall not be subject to any ceiling by the DBM; and
16


1 
d) Any program undertaken in accordance with this Act shall only be
2 
deemed complementary and supplementary to, and shall not be a
3 
replacement of any existing programs for the fisherfolk already
4 
implemented by the DA-BFAR and other agencies concerned.
5 
SEC. 29. Powers of the President - Notwithstanding Section 27 of
6 
this Act and consistent with the Philippine national Interest and the objective of
7 
safeguarding local salt producers and consumers, the President Is hereby
8 
empowered to act with full delegated authority subject to the provisions of the
9 
Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), in the following circumstances:
10 
a) 
The President may revise or adjust existing rates of customs
11 
duties on salt imports consonant with the country's international agreements,
12 
including any necessary change in classification applicable to their importation:
13 
Provided, That the adjustment is time-bound and that the power herein
14 
delegated to the President shall only be exercised when Congress is not in
15 
session: Provided further, That any order issued by the President adjusting the
16 
applied tariff rates shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication;
17 
b) 
In the event of any imminent or forecasted shortage, or such
18 
other situation requiring government intervention, the President is empowered
19 
for a limited period and/or a specified volume, to allow the importation of salt
20 
at a lower applied tariff rate to address the situation. Such order shall take
21 
effect immediately and can be issued even when Congress is in session.
22 
The power herein delegated to the President may be withdrawn or
23 
terminated by Congress through a joint resolution.
24 
SEC. 30. Reporting. -The various departments and agencies specified
25 
In this Act shall provide regular updates to the Salt Council on the progress of
26 
their programs and activities toward the realization of the objectives of this Act.
27 
SEC. 31. Congressional Oversight - The Congressional Oversight
28 
Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM) shall regularly
29 
exercise its oversight powers to ensure full implementation of this Act.
30 
SEC. 32. Agencies Regular Programs. - The additional mandates,
31 
functions and activities of the various departments and agencies provided for
17


1 
and identified in this Act shall be considered regular programs and shall be
2 
funded accordingly in their annual budgets.
3 
SEC. 33. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
4 
implementation of this act shall be taken from the appropriations of the BFAR.
5 
Thereafter, such amount as may be needed for the continued implementation
6 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
7 
SEC. 34. Separabiiity Ciause. -If any provision of this Act is declared
8 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions of this Act not affected by such
9 
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.
10 
SEC. 35. Repeaiing Ciause. - Sections 3 and 5 of Republic Act No.
11 
8172 or the "ASIN Law" are modified accordingly. All laws, decrees, orders,
12 
rules and regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the
13 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
14 
SEC. 36. Effectivity Ciause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
15 
days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
16 
newspapers of general circulation.
17 
Approved,
18