TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cgayan (PIA) -- To address salt importation issues in Cagayan Valley, the National Fisheries Research Development Institute (NFRDI) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) forged an agreement to develop salt industry in Cagayan.  

The two agencies will collaborate to harness the potential of the region’s seawater through the implementation of the Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP), which aims to revitalize salt production as a thriving entrepreneur in the coastal communities.  

Dr. Evelyn Ame, chief of the Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division of BFAR Region 2, said the initiative aims to address prevalent issues of salt importation in the region. 

She said the project implementers have conducted thorough profiling in the coastal communities of the province, particularly in the towns of Santa Ana and Gonzaga, the identified focus areas of the project. 

Field officials of the National Fisheries Research Development Institute and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conduct profiling for the implementation of the Development of Salt Industry Project in Cagayan. (Photo courtesy of BFAR)

“This dependency persists despite the country boasting approximately 36,000 kilometers of coastline, presenting vast potential for domestic salt production. We also have our huge coastlines that are potential sources of salt,” she said

The Cagayan Valley Region is also dependent on salts manufactured from the Ilocos and Central Luzon regions. 

With the DSIP's implementation and the collaborative efforts between government agencies and local stakeholders, she said, salt production is poised as another fuel to the region’s economy. 

Ame also stressed that the initiative not only promises economic growth and stability but also underscores the government's commitment to fostering sustainable development and self-sufficiency in key sectors of the economy. (OTB/ JPT/PIA Cagayan)