Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11985)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11985 is the "Philippine Salt Industry Development Act."
The primary policy objective is to promote rural development, increase rural income through sound agricultural productivity, revitalize the salt industry, attain salt self-sufficiency, and become a net exporter of salt while preserving and rehabilitating the environment.
Artisanal salt refers to locally produced unrefined salt derived directly from the sea or ocean using traditional methods, retaining natural minerals. An artisanal salt producer utilizes traditional, non-mechanized methods to produce salt.
Salt farms are classified as: (1) Individual salt farm - not more than 50 hectares; and (2) Corporate or cooperative/association salt farm - not more than 250 hectares.
The Salt Council includes the Secretary of DA (Chairperson), Secretary of DTI (Vice-Chairperson), directors or secretaries of relevant agencies (BFAR, DENR, DOST, DOH, DOT, DPWH, DOLE, CDA, NFRDI), representatives from salt-producing local government units, private sector, and salt farmer cooperatives.
The SPTI is a tenurial instrument issued by BFAR allocating public lands for salt production to qualified salt producers, outlining terms, conditions, period of use (25 years renewable), and metes and bounds of the salt farms.
Applicants must have: (1) Certificate of Registration as salt producer under the Act, (2) At least three years of salt production experience or endorsement for cooperatives/associations, and (3) Payment of rental fee, except cooperatives/associations of subsistence and small producers who have preferential rent-free use for three years.
Salt, whether processed or unprocessed, is classified as an aquatic resource product and is exempt from all taxes.
Incentives include classification as preferred investment area by the Board of Investments, exemption from import duties on machinery and equipment, priority access to credit and guarantee schemes from government financial institutions, and coverage by Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
DA-BFAR leads the implementation of the salt industry development roadmap and program management office, issues SPTIs, provides technical assistance and machinery support, oversees registration of salt producers, and coordinates extension, research, and capacity building for salt farmers.