FOLLOWING the government's initiatives to revitalize the industry, the domestic production of salt has reached over 199,000 metric tons in the first half of 2026, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.
Elizer Salilig, BFAR’s national director, credited the robust growth to the implementation of various measures and interventions that increased the production of artisanal, solar and cooking salt.
Salilig said it helped strengthen the local industry and reduce import reliance under the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP). This initiative is designed to revitalize salt farms nationwide while creating sustainable, diversified livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.
“We are pleased with the improvement in salt output from January to June this year, reflecting gains of the DSIP,” he said.
The agency cited DSIP's positive impact in Barangay Tawagan Sur, Pagadian City, where fisherfolk have transformed their community into a productive salt hub.
Originally organized in 2000 for seaweed farming, a dedicated group of 19 members, mostly women, pivoted to salt production.
With BFAR’s guidance, the group employed rigorous site assessments and salinity testing to ensure their area was optimal for salt farming.
Vital infrastructure, including solar beds, greenhouse tunnel-type salt dryers, elevated solar dryers, storage facilities, and other tools, was provided by the agency to bolster their operations.
As a result, Salilig said the group produced nearly 7 MT of high-quality salt in 2025.
At present, he said the community operates a sophisticated network of 12 ground-level solar beds, four greenhouse dryers, 19 elevated solar dryers, and two dedicated storage facilities.
Salilig likewise hailed the support of the Department of Science and Technology, which provided technical support to the group.
The BFAR-Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) would also provide an iodizing machine this year in a bid to boost their output, he said.
Ramon Rodrigo, city agriculturist, cited the importance of this community-led revival as he emphasized that revitalizing the salt industry would be essential in strengthening local production.
“What we are seeing in Tawagan Sur is proof that with the right support, technical guidance and community determination, we can produce high-quality salt and secure sustainable livelihoods,” Rodrigo said.
Salilig said BFAR has committed to expand DSIP to transform more coastal communities into salt producers.
