Pangasinan: The Pangasinan Salt Center at Barangay Zaragosa, Bolinao produced 7,500 metric tons (MT) of salt from December 2024 to May this year, marking a 17.18-percent increase from the 6,400 MT produced in the previous season.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla attributed the increase in harvested salt primarily to the favorable weather conditions in the province during the period. Despite a shorter production season of 140 days compared to the previous season's 160 days, the hotter weather contributed to the increased output.

Batalla mentioned that they are finalizing a deal for the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to purchase 30,000 bags, or 1.5 million kilograms, of agricultural-grade salt this year for use as fertilizer. The PCA's coconut fertilization project, priced at PHP750 to PHP800 per bag, aims to enhance coconut productivity by rehabilitating low-bearing palms. Additionally, walk-in customers also purchase salt directly at the farm.

The provincial government is set to implement projects specifically aimed at further boosting salt production in the area this year. A storage area has already been established in the center, and road networks have been secured.

In a recent statement, Governor Ramon Guico reaffirmed that the establishment of the Pangasinan Salt Center supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s "Philippine Salt Industry Development Act," which aims to strengthen and revitalize the country's salt industry. This initiative responds to the President's call to resolve the nation's salt crisis, as about 93 percent of the country's salt requirement is currently imported from China and Australia. Guico emphasized the need to reduce dependency on imported salt and eventually become a net exporter.