Objectives
- Establish criteria and guidelines for identifying and awarding salt production areas.
- Encourage salt production supporting government food security.
- Generate employment opportunities in rural areas.
- Provide mechanisms for pollution control monitoring among salt producers.
- Register all salt producers and public lands used for salt production.
Definition of Terms
- Iodized Salt: Salt with added iodine to prevent iodine deficiency disorders.
- Manufacturer/Producer: Entity producing, importing, trading, or distributing salt.
- Salt Iodization: Addition of iodine complying with Bureau of Food and Drug Administration specifications.
- Saltfarm: Foreshore areas used for salt production.
- Salt Production Sharing Agreement (SPSA): Contract between DENR and entities for use of public lands for salt production.
- Table Salt: Sodium chloride in natural crystalline form.
Areas Available for Salt Production
- Includes existing salt production areas and natural salt deposits.
- Limited to foreshore areas free of mangroves, corals, seagrass.
- Excludes bathing areas, municipal fishery reserves, Protected Area System zones, water classified as SD type, and lands under valid tenure.
Criteria for Identification and Prioritization
- Topography: Extensive tidal flats with efficient drainage, located at least 100 meters from river mouths, free from floods and storm surge.
- Climatic Conditions: Preferably within Climatic Type I, exposed to northeast/easterly winds, low precipitation.
- Water Quality: Salinity at least parts per thousand; free from contamination; tidal fluctuations within 1 meter.
- Soil Type: Silty clay to clay loam with pH 6-7 (slightly acidic).
- Other Considerations: Proximity from settlements (2-4 km), source of freshwater, year-round accessibility, access to materials.
Identification and Declaration of Salt Production Areas
- CENROs to identify suitable public domain salt production areas with detailed reports including area, production, beneficiaries, tenure.
- Task Force Mangrove/Asin validates and appraises sites prioritizing areas at least 100 hectares; smaller areas validated regionally.
- Public consultation conducted with affected communities.
- Secretary declares areas available for salt production, published in a newspaper of general circulation.
Application Procedure for SPSA
- Qualified Applicants: Filipino citizens or corporations with 60% Filipino ownership; preference for locals and environmentally conscious applicants.
- Application Requirements: Letter, fee receipt, development plan, feasibility studies, local government endorsements; corporations submit registration, bylaws, officers, records.
- Processing: CENRO evaluates documents within 15 working days; recommendations made to PENRO, ORED, or OSEC depending on area size.
- Development work starts only after valid SPSA and compliance with related environmental rules.
- SPSA Size Limits: Individuals (<=5 ha), Associations/Cooperatives (<=100 ha, within barangay), Corporations (<=500 ha contiguous).
Monitoring and Reporting
- SPSA holders submit semi-annual reports during development; annual reports afterward.
- Regional Offices conduct regular monitoring; reports forwarded quarterly to Task Force Mangrove/Asin.
Reversion
- SPSA holders must develop entire site in 5 years; 80% by year 3.
- Undeveloped areas revert to mangrove forest purposes.
- Failure to meet production targets by year 7 results in area reassignment.
Expansion
- SPSA holders may apply for expansion within prescribed limits.
- Priority given to existing and adjacent SPSA holders.
Priority for SPSA Application Processing
- First come, first served basis.
- Priority to financially stable corporations with salt production experience.
Application Fee
- P500 per application.
Government Share
- Computed as gross revenue minus production costs and margin for profit and risk (30% of gross revenue).
Term of SPSA
- Valid for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.
- Subject to suspension or cancellation upon violation of terms.
Privileges of SPSA Holder
- Occupy, develop SPA areas, and claim ownership of improvements.
- Allocate sustainable use rights to members.
- Receive information and consultation on government projects.
- Preferential access to DENR assistance and resources.
- Retain income in excess of government share.
Responsibilities of SPSA Holder
- Participate in boundary delineation.
- Submit social and resource assessments.
- Develop and implement plans for development, feasibility, environmental protection.
- Comply with Environmental Compliance Certificate conditions.
- Assist in natural resource conservation and community education.
- Prioritize employment of local residents.
- Submit required reports to DENR.
Productivity
- Salt ponds may serve as temporary fishponds during wet season, adjusting government share accordingly.
Environmental Monitoring Procedures
- Annual inspection and water quality testing by monitoring teams.
- Inventory and mapping of mangroves and resources as baseline.
- Resource appraisals every few years to assess development impact.
- Monitoring of compliance with environmental enhancement plans.
- SPSA holder encouraged to join coastal conservation efforts.
- Compliance with relevant environmental laws and monitoring policies mandatory.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals inconsistent rules and regulations.
Effectivity
- Effective 15 days after publication in a national newspaper.