A salt research and development center was opened in Pangasinan to develop PHL’s salt industry
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday launched the first salt research and development center in the country, aimed at reviving the declining salt industry and achieving self-sufficiency in the country’s salt.
This center, called the Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation (ASIN) Center, was built at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) with a grant of ₱43 million from the DOST and is operated by an attached center of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) under the Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER Research and Development) program. PSU also allocated ₱20 million to its partner to set up the building.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. he said that the center aims to deal with the country’s over-reliance on imported salt, which currently accounts for 93% of the required amount, while only 7% is produced locally. He noted that limited salt farms, elderly farmers, and outdated technology contributed to the decline of the country’s salt industry.
“The establishment of the ASIN R & D Center is our response to decades of underinvestment in salt science and a decisive step towards achieving real salt satisfaction,” said Mr.
The ASIN agency was empowered by Republic Act No. 11985, or the Philippine Salt Industry Act, which was signed in early 2024. The law encourages the use of machinery and low-cost technology to improve salt production in the country.
The ASIN facility is set to be a center for testing new and effective methods of salt processing. It is equipped with advanced laboratory testing facilities, training facilities and workshops, and a demonstration site for salt production technology.
PSU President Elbert M. Galas said the system being developed at the facility is ready to improve both the quality and quantity of salt produced. Once it is patented and ready for sale, it will be available to potential local recipients.
“Ibig sabihin, papalakihin pa nila yung machine para mas marami pang ma-produce” [This means they will scale up the machine to produce more]mr. Galas told reporters.
Once operational, this system can produce 300-350 liters of brine in just 3.5 hours and produce 55 kilograms of salt in 2-2.5 hours, compared to traditional methods that take 7 hours, while using only 30 kilowatts, said Rex B. Basuel, ASIN Center program leader.
Mr. Solidum noted that the program is also exploring ways to make salt production more cost-effective for potential adopters, such as using solar energy and traditional methods of cooking salt to improve energy efficiency.
Local farmers and small stakeholders are also expected to benefit from the technology developed at the ASIN Center, as communities and local government units can access the technology, said Mr. Basuel told. BusinessWorld.
“Kung is helping the government with machines, with the expectation of the day and the huge price of the farm” [If the government provides equipment, they are expected to raise farmgate prices]he said, noting that technology can help farmers produce high-value refined salt.
The new system developed at the center is expected to be tested at the Bulinao Salt Farm in Pangasinan in collaboration with the provincial government, allowing the technology to be adopted and scaled up, said Mr. Galas.
Regarding the sustainability of the ASIN Center, which is organized into three sections – Membrane Science and Separation Technology, Salt Science and Applications, and Process Design and Engineering – Mr. Galas said they are currently working on plantilla items with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). – Edg Adrian A. Eva
