QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11985)
RA 11985 is titled the “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.” Its main purpose is to strengthen and revitalize the salt industry in the Philippines, including appropriating funds for that purpose.
The State aims to promote rural development, increase rural income through efficient enterprises, provide technology and support services to revitalize the salt industry, increase salt production by salt farmers/producers, achieve salt self-sufficiency, and become a net exporter of salt, while also preserving and rehabilitating the natural environment.
Artisanal salt is locally produced unrefined salt from a living sea/ocean using traditional methods, retaining natural mineral traces. Salt farms are areas of land/shorelines/coastal areas, including buildings, machineries, and equipment, used in salt production, classified as individual (up to 50 ha) or corporate/cooperative (up to 250 ha).
They are categorized as subsistence (not exceeding 2 MT/year), small (more than 2 MT to 300 MT/year), medium (more than 300 MT to 2,000 MT/year), and large (exceeding 2,000 MT/year).
The Salt Roadmap is a formulated and established plan containing programs, projects, and interventions for development and management of the salt industry (including modernization and commercialization). It must be aligned with the objectives and continued implementation of RA 8172 (ASIN), particularly for mandatory iodization of all food-grade salt.
The Council includes multiple government department heads and representatives. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is the Chairperson; the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the Vice-Chairperson.
Examples include: (1) formulating the five-year Salt Roadmap updated yearly; (2) identifying priority programs and projects; (3) providing development funds and technical assistance commensurate to salt farm size; (4) implementing mechanization through provision of machinery/equipment; (5) institutionalizing capacity building; (6) conducting R&D and market promotion; and (7) submitting annual reports to the Office of the President and Congress.
The PMO, under the Office of the BFAR Director, oversees overall implementation and monitors execution by implementing agencies/partners. It also performs secretariat functions (coordinating Salt Council meetings, preparing/consolidating reports, monitoring policy implementation, and liaising with government members).
Unprocessed or processed salt is classified as an aquatic resource product and shall be exempt from all taxes.
DENR (with NAMRIA) and BFAR must map/identify/designate public lands (including municipal waters) as salt production areas. It must finish within 60 days from effectivity for priority provinces listed, and within 6 months for other regions. Results must be shared publicly and reports submitted to Congress through COCAFM.
DENR must transfer public lands suitable for salt production under its jurisdiction to BFAR within 90 days. BFAR then allocates these lands for salt production by issuing Salt Production Tenurial Instruments (SPTI) to qualified salt producers.
An SPTI is the tenurial instrument BFAR issues to qualified salt producers for use of public lands for salt production. It indicates: grantee information; terms and conditions; period of use; termination conditions including an undertaking to start salt farm construction/operation within one year and protect/preserve critical marine habitat; and the metes and bounds of the salt farm.
BFAR approves based only on three requirements: (1) Certificate of Registration as a salt producer; (2) track record/actual experience in salt farm business/production for at least 3 years (with an LGU endorsement alternative for subsistence and small cooperatives/associations); and (3) payment of rental fee equal to current BFAR rates. Subsistence/small cooperatives/associations get preferential treatment and may be granted rent-free use for 3 years from start of salt farm operations.
Individuals may lease up to 50 hectares; corporations/cooperatives/associations up to 250 hectares. Multiple areas may be leased, but total area must not exceed the prescribed limits.
RA 11985 makes iodization of artisanal and non-food grade salt and salt intended for export optional within the country. Artisanal salt may be used by food manufacturers/food establishments. Food-grade salt may be sold by farmers to processors, with iodization to be done by processors; imported food-grade salt fortification must comply with DOH standards.