The fisheries and aquatic bureau in Mimaropa and the local government of Kalayaan are set to revive salt production on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
Salt is indispensable for preserving fish, which is vital for remote island communities where refrigeration might be limited. It is used for curing fish to extend shelf life, preventing spoilage and enabling storage for longer periods.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Mimaropa OIC Regional Director Roberto Abrera announced plans for a new salt production program on Pag-asa Island, aligned with the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.
Signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March, this law promotes the establishment of designated public lands as salt-production areas to boost national salt production.
Abrera pointed out that the Philippines currently meets only seven percent of its domestic salt requirements, with the remaining 93 percent being imported from abroad.
“The waters of Palawan is pristine so we can say that salt produced here can be export-quality,” Abrera said in an interview with the media.
Abrera also said he spoke with local government officials of Kalayaan about Pag-asa being the a site as part of a road map for salt production.
“Can you imagine ang Pag-asa Island, ang salt nila galing dito sa mainland samantalang doon palibot ng dagat,” he said.
“Pagpunta natin doon, dalhin na kaagad ang paraphernalia. Siguro maghapon lang yan, makakaproduce na tayo ng asin. Hindi na sila kukuha dito,” he added.
Salt production no more
Councilor Maurice Phillip Alexis Albayda of Kalayaan also confirmed this to Palawan News. He said they are planning to revive their salt-making project and to use the production facility that was funded by their municipal government.
“Low-performing to non-functional ang salt-making facility natin, pero we’re planning to partner with BFAR,” Albayda told Palawan News on Saturday.
Previously, Kalayaan fisherman Larry Hugo noted that salt-making on Pag-asa Island had ceased because BFAR already constructed a building on the former concentrating ponds.
This situation forced them to rely on purchasing salt from mainland Palawan, incurring additional costs and logistical challenges.
“Bumibili kami ng asin dyan sa Puerto. Tag isang sako. Walang gumagawa ng asin dito matagal na,” Hugo said.
“Wala ng lugar dito kasi tinayuan na ng building ng BFAR yong dating asinan,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abrera also said the same is also being planned for other municipalities of Palawan.
“Traditionally, mayroon tayo doon sa Cuyo, napuntahan ko yan, may Dumaran, Taytay. Pero ako I do believe we’re all coastal municipalities dito ang asin kaya-kaya natin iproduce,” he said.
Abrera further explained that salt can be used as a fertilizer for coconut trees, potentially increasing their production.
“Ang mga niyog na malayo sa dagat, pag na-fertilize ng asin ang isang niyog, kakapal ang laman pang-copra, tatamis ang sabaw ng buko at dadami ang bunga. Yan ang economic benefit pag-fertilize mo ng niyog,” he explained, adding that a coconut tree will need two kilograms of salt. (with a report from Celeste Anna Formoso)
