NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s. No. 2185
of tije f!nrjp
23 may 15 P2 :08
Ri-CEIViDSV.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
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 lODIZATION NATIONWIDE 
(ASIN)," PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
To borrow words from the title of a news article, if we continue to neglect our 
local salt industry, it would be 'a sin/1 Sadly, it appears that such neglect and 
languishing has been the unintended consequence of a well-intentioned law. Republic 
Act No. 8172, otherwise known as the 'ASIN.' It was the goal of the Asin Law to 
prioritize the over-all health of the country, thereby putting premium on iodization in 
order to address our Iodine deficiency rate. And while the Iodine deficiency rate did 
decrease, unfortunately, so did our local production rate.
Since many of our salt farmers could not afford the cost of iodization, they were 
forced to move on to other industries. Such Is a painful irony, that a country that is 
blessed with so many glorious seas and beaches, with a 36,000-kilometer shoreline, 
is the same one that is importing majority of its salt supply, able only to produce 20% 
locally.2 In response to this problem, the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued in 
September of 2022 the implementing guidelines of the Development of Salt Industry
1 Yvette Tan, "It's a sin to let the local salt industry languish," 21 May 2021. Retrieved from: 
httDs://mb.com.Dh/2021/05/21/its-a-sin-to-let-the-local-salt-industrv-lanauish/. retrieved on 26 
February 2023.
2 Ibid.


Project, which was allotted a funding of PlOO-miliion.3 The aim of the said program is 
to boost local salt production with the use of modern technology.
While this initiative from the DA is laudable, It is also necessary that this 
initiative be paired with legislative action. This bill seeks to amend the ASIN Law in 
order to stimulate the local salt industry through the establishment of a Salt Industry 
Development and Revitalization Program. The Salt Industry shall be guided by a Salt 
Industry Development and Revitalization Plan to be crafted by the DA and the Bureau 
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Ultimately, the goal is to Institutionalize 
our support for our local salt producers, without undermining the original Intent of the 
ASIN Law, which is to promote the health of Filipinos.
For these reasons, let us not be guilty of'a sin' of neglect of our salt farmers, 
and push for the swift passage of this bill into law.
RONALlf^^^^ELA ROSA
3 Jordeene Lagare, "Salt industry revival plan to start with 'profiling' - DA," 16 September 2022. 
Retrieved from: 
https://newsinfo.inauirer.net/1665198/salt-industrv-revival-Dlan-to-start-wjth-
profiling-da. retrieved on 26 February 2023.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2185
of tlje
23 MAY 15 P2:08
RECEIVED BV
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
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 lODIZATION NATIONWIDE 
(ASIN)," PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Salt Industry
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Development and Revitalization Act."
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Sec. 2. Section 3 of R.A. No. 8172 or "An Act for Salt lodization Nationwide
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(ASIN)" is hereby amended, to read as follows:
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"SEC. 3. Purposes. - The purposes of this Act are to:
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a) X X x;
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b) [require—aW] ENCOURAGE LOCAL producers AND [/] manufacturers of
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food-grade salt to iodize the salt that they produce AND [7] manufacture {7
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import, trade or distribute];
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c) require the Department of Health (DOH) to undertake lodization program for
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its [Bureau—ef—Feed—aed—Drugs—fBFAD)] FOOD AND DRUG
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ADMINISTRATION (FDA), to set and enforce standards for food-grade
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iodized salt and to monitor compliance thereof by the food-grade salt
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manufacturers;
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XXX


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f) direct the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) [, in collaboration 
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 (BEAR), 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 purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall mean:
XXX
h) LOCAL PRODUCER OR Manufacturer - [one who produces, imports, trades, 
af>d 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


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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 
lODIZATION EFFORTS.
i) [SubsistcncG producGr/manufacturcr—ene-who producGs, tradGS in,
or diGtributGG solt not GxcGGding two mGtric tons-(2 m.t.) of salt pGr
yeafr]
j) [Small producGr/manufacturGr -one-who producGS,-tradGS in, or
dIstributGS salt ranging from moro than two motric tono (2 m.tT)--t0 throG
metric tons (3 m.t.) pGr yGar.]
k) [Medium producGr/manufacturGr—one who produces-,- trades-in, or
diGtributGG Galt ranging from more than tbree-motric tons (3 m.t.) to two
thousand metric tons (2,000 m-.t.) per year.]
l) [Large produccr/manufacturcr-----one who produces, trades-in, or
diGtributes-salt oxcGoding two thousand metric tons (2,000-m.-t-) per
yeafrJ
i) SALT IMPORTER, TRADER, AND DISTRIBUTOR- REFERS TO A 
PERSON, CORPORATION, OR ASSOCIATION ENGAGED IN THE


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IMPORTATION, TRADE, AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF IMPORTED 
SALT. THE FDA SHALL MAINTAIN A REGISTRY FOR THE 
MONITORING OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE SALT lODIZATION 
PROGRAM. THE SAME LIST SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY THE FDA 
TO THE BEAR 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) IL OCANO COOKED SALT - REFERS TO SALT PRODUCED IN 
THE I LOCOS REGION AND OTHER PROVINCES IN NORTHERN 
LUZON, WHICH IS PART OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE 
ILOCANO PEOPLE.
l) 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 SAL TS 
WHICH USE DIFFERENT AND TRADITIONAL PRODUCTION 
TECHNIQUES. THIS INCLUDES ASIN TIBUOK PRODUCED IN 
BOHOL, DULDUL SALT MADE IN GUIMARAS, ASIN SA BUY-0 OF 
ZAM BALES, 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 BEAR SHALL PREPARE THE SALT INDUSTRY PLAN FOR THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM, CONSISTING OF POLICY


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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 
HEAL TH (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
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


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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 lODIZATION EFFORTS OF 
GOVERNMENT. The following agencies and institutions shall support 
the salt iodization program through their respective internal 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 thorn obtain soft loans and-financial 
assistanco for the procurement of salt iodization machines, packaging
equipment and technelogy-fortificant; and] by ensuring systematic 
distribution of the iodized salt in the market;
XXX
C) X X x; [end]
D) X X x; [t];
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


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THAT WILL FACILITATE THE GROWTH AND RECOVERY OF THE
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SALT INDUSTRY; AND
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F) THE DOLE AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
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DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SHALL DETERMINE AND PROVIDE
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THE NECESSARY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND
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EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF WORKERS IN THE SALT INDUSTRY.
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X X x"
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Sec. 5. A new Section 7 is hereby inserted after the amended Section 6 of the
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same Act, to read as foliows:
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"SEC. 7. SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND. - THE AMOUNT
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NEEDED FOR THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SALT
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INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAM SHALL
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BE CHARGED TO THE CURRENT YEAR'S APPROPRIATIONS OF THE DA:
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PROVIDED, THAT THE AMOUNT SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN FIVE
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HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (P500,000,000.00). THEREAFTER, SUCH
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SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR ITS CONTINUED
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IMPLEMENTATION SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL
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APPROPRIATIONS ACT.
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THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED SHALL BE RELEASED DIRECTLY TO
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THE IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES, BASED ON THE OBJECTIVES OF THE
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SALT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION PLAN."
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Sec. 6. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is held
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected
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shail continue to remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
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regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repeaied or modified
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accordingly.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shali take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,