KABAYAN PARTYLIST CONGRESSMAN RON SALO HAILED AS FATHER OF MODERN PHILIPPINE SALT INDUSTRY

Kabayan Partylist founder and current 3-term congressman Ron Salo was recognized by leaders of the country’s salt industry for championing the sector’s cause.

Gerard Khonghun, President of the Philippine Association of Salt Industry Stakeholders (PhilAsin), referred to Salo as the “Father of Modern Philippine Salt Industry” at the final workshop for the crafting of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap (PSIDR).

The PSIDR workshop was held on July 25-26, 2024, at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, and spearheaded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). 

“I don't know of any lawmaker who has done more for the salt industry than Congressman Salo,” stated Khonghun.  “Over the past three years of working toward the passage of this law, he championed the cause of the local salt industry, creating a national consciousness on the issue, hand-holding the whole process from filing to its passage into law, as well as ensuring its full implementation,” he continued.  “We are greatly honored with his commitment and vision for the salt industry, and we will not let his efforts go to waste,” he added. 

In response, Salo professed that he is “humbled and greatly honored to be recognized and commended,” while affirming that “the revitalization of the salt industry is not just a legislative agenda, but a personal mission to uplift the livelihoods of our salt farmers and ensure the sustainable growth of this vital sector.”

Salo, who hails from Pangasinan province, renowned as one of the leading and biggest suppliers of salt in the country, has been instrumental in pushing for policies to revitalize and modernize the salt industry. He is the principal author of the measure that eventually became Republic Act No. (RA) No. 11985, also known as the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which was signed into law on March 11 this year.

During the final PSIDR workshop where he was keynote speaker, Salo congratulated all stakeholders on the significant increase in salt production, which rose from around 7 percent to around 16 percent of the total demand following the enactment of the law.  “This progress is not just about numerical growth, but more importantly, an increase in the number of families who have benefited from the salt industry,” he explained in Pilipino.

Salo also laid out the importance of developing sustainable strategies for the salt industry, stating in Filipino that “the salt industry must be strengthened to withstand changes in weather conditions.”  “Hence, the PSIDR must ensure skills-training on modern methods and processes for salt farmers, and the provision and use of updated equipment and facilities that will result in higher yield all year-round, and not just during periods of El Niño,” Salo declared.

“Consistent with RA 11985, salt is no longer an orphan commodity, but a firmly recognized essential agricultural product; a transformation that is a testament to the relentless advocacy and strategic initiative to uplift the sector,” emphasized Salo.  

As part of the initiative to revitalize the salt industry, the BFAR allocated P100 million each year for 2023 and 2024.  The BFAR has proposed P200 million for 2025, which is expected to substantially increase when the PSIDR is approved by the Salt Industry Council created under RA 11985.

The BFAR and other national government agencies, State universities and colleges, local government units, salt cooperatives, and farmers present at the PSIDR have joined in commending Salo’s unwavering commitment in revitalizing the salt industry.(PR)