TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- To help boost local economy and to provide livelihood to the unemployed fisherfolk in the coastal communities, the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Region 2 capacitated locals on salt production to revitalize the salt industry in the province.
In partnership with the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) based in La Union, DA-BFAR has started conducting skills training on Solar Sea Salt making in the municipality of Ballesteros on July 3–4.
At least 25 fisherfolk who are existing salt producers in the town, along with the members of the Fisherfolk Association and the Barangay Officials in Barangay Cabaritan West, participated in the two-day skills training.
Participants observe the demonstrations on the actual salt producing processes during the hands-on training conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Ballesteros, Cagayan on July 3-4, 2023. Photo courtesy of DMMMSU.
Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion said the training team will also capacitate interested locals in Calayan Island, Cagayan; Palanan, Isabela, and Batanes Province on salt production.
He said no less than President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the concurrent chief of the agriculture department, sees the potential of the Philippines’ salt industry in boosting the local economy, and as an income-generating opportunity for the Filipino people.
Dr. Andie John D. Tadeo, director of DMMMSU North La Union Campus - Fisheries Research and Training Institute, shared his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of salt making where trainees acquired invaluable insights in the utilization of High-density Polyethylene in salt production.
Participants were taught with the technical know-how of producing salt from seawater gathering, sediment and particles settling, proper sun exposure, and refinement. Participants are expected to harvest six to seven kilograms of salt from a 200-liter seawater.
Dr. Andie John D. Tadeo, Director of DMMMSU North La Union Campus, Fisheries Research and Training Institute, shares his knowledge and expertise in the field of salt making to fisherfolk-participants in Ballesteros, Cagayan. Photo courtesy of DMMMSU
“Towards a self-sufficient salt province, we are hoping to revive the salt industry in Cagayan. All things are possible as long as we have the determination,” said Provincial Fishery Officer of Cagayan, Jennifer T. Tattao.
Filipino scientist Westly Rivera Rosario also lauded the efforts of BFAR and DMMMSU to revitalize the salt industry in Cagayan, considering its vast shoreline.
“Continue to be ‘Salt on the Earth”. Provide livelihood for people living in coastal areas. Offer Filipinos with “healthy salt”. People living in coastal towns of Cagayan province will enjoy the science of solar salt making,” he said. (OTB/MDCT - PIA Cagayan)
