BFAR 8 urges Eastern Visayas to turn ‘White Gold’ into local prosperity

By SAMAR NEWS.COM
May 29, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 8 is calling on coastal communities across Eastern Visayas to stop being passive consumers of imported salt and instead become active producers, leveraging the region’s abundant seawater, land, and labor force.

The appeal was made during the Regional Orientation and Stakeholders Consultation on the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP) held on May 25–26, 2026 in Tacloban City. The two-day event gathered private salt producers, traders, and fisherfolk associations from the six provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.

“We are here today because we possess the land, the sand, the sea, and the labor. It is time to transition from passive consumers to salt-reliant producers,” said Loreginia P. Briones, DSIP Regional Focal Person for BFAR Region 8.

National Salt Program Management Office (NSPMO) Head Dr. Hannibal Chavez framed the initiative in more evocative terms.

“Ang asin o ‘white gold’ ay hindi lamang simpleng produkto – ito ay simbolo ng oportunidad, kabuhayan, at pag-asa,” Chavez said.

Participants expressed strong optimism, particularly small-scale fisherfolk who see the project as a lifeline for coastal livelihoods. Ruel Inoc, a fisherfolk representative from Dawahon Island in Bato, Leyte, said he was pleased to learn that even island communities with limited space could establish salt production facilities.

“Ako naman natutuwa dahil di pala imposibleng magkaroon din kami ng pagawaan maski sa maliit na lugar lang gaya ng isla. Malaking kapakinabangan ito lalo pa sa mga organisasyon, asosasyon at kooperatiba,” Inoc said.

The consultation focused on the implementation of Republic Act No. 11985, the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which seeks to revitalize and modernize the local salt sector. Resource speakers presented the Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap 2025–2040, an overview of the DSIP, the Salt Information Management System (SIMS), and sustainable production technologies including solar crystallization modules, improved post-harvest handling, quality enhancement measures, and salt convergence mapping.

The activity also served as a venue for participants to voice concerns, share best practices, and explore ways to make Eastern Visayas salt more competitive in the market. It was attended by key officials including Regional Fisherfolk Director Jesus Patilla, Farmer Regional Executive Director Engr. Miguel Pedroso, DSIP National Planning Focal Charmaine Buitre, and representatives from BFAR regional and provincial offices. Partner agencies from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and DENR-Environmental Management Bureau also showed support.

The push for self-reliance comes after decades of decline in the Philippine salt industry. Following the passage of the ASIN Law, which mandated iodization, the sector received little government support. As a result, the country now imports roughly 90% of its annual salt requirements, primarily from Australia and China, with additional supplies from Thailand and New Zealand

Cheap imported salt flooded the market, driving down prices and forcing many local producers to scale down or shut down operations. This led to widespread loss of livelihood, heavy foreign exchange spending on imports, and greater vulnerability to global supply disruptions. Salt-dependent industries such as fish processing and food manufacturing have also been affected.