The Philippine government has inaugurated a specialized research center aimed at reversing the dramatic collapse of the nation's once-thriving salt industry. The new ASIN (Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation) Center, established at Pangasinan State University in Lingayen, represents a critical intervention to boost local production through advanced technology and improved methods.
Once a pillar of agricultural output, the domestic salt sector now supplies a mere 7% of national consumption, a stark decline from nearly 85% self-sufficiency in the 1990s. The overwhelming majority of salt is now imported from countries like China and Australia.
A recent government study pinpointed multiple causes for this steep decline, stating:
"The failure to adapt to climate change, widespread conversion of salt-producing lands, and stringent food safety standards have crippled local production. Compounding these issues are limited supportive policies, an unattractive business environment, and a lack of a dedicated governing agency, which have collectively pushed local salt producers into obscurity."
The industry was further hampered by a now-repealed law that mandated costly iodization for all locally produced salt, a requirement few small-scale producers could afford. This regulation was lifted earlier this year with the signing of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, which also created a new 'Salt Council' to oversee a national recovery roadmap.
The newly opened ASIN Center is a cornerstone of this revitalization plan. Conceptualized as a national hub for innovation, it will be equipped with advanced laboratories, training facilities, and a pilot production site.
Secretary of Science and Technology Renato Solidum Jr. described the center as "a decisive step toward achieving true salt self-sufficiency and our response to decades of underinvestment in salt science."
The center is developing a high-efficiency processing system designed to produce up to 55 kilograms of salt in just over two hours while consuming minimal electricity. This technology, once patented, will be made available to industry players. Researchers will also explore integrating solar energy and traditional methods to make production more cost-effective.
Broader government efforts under the roadmap include identifying and converting suitable lands—including abandoned fishponds—into new salt farms. Officials emphasize that reviving the industry will require a coordinated strategy providing consistent financial, production, and marketing support to local producers to ramp up domestic output and reduce reliance on imports.