HR01032: RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) TO UTILIZE THE NATIONAL CONVERGENCE INITIATIVE (NCI) PLATFORM WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST) TO PROVIDE THE NEEDED TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE AND DEVELOPMENT TO NORTH LUZON SALT PRODU
This resolution encourages the Department of Agriculture (DA) to utilize the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) platform with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to provide necessary technology upgrades and development to North Luzon salt producers, considering them part of the fisherfolk sector. The Philippines, despite having one of the longest coastlines globally, now imports 93% of its salt, a stark contrast to a time when it was nearly 100% self-sufficient, indicating a significant decline in the local salt industry due to limited government policies and lack of a "foster" government agency.
The resolution emphasizes that North Luzon's districts, provinces, cities, and municipalities stand to benefit significantly from this development, particularly in areas like Ilocos and Pangasinan that have historically contributed to the country's salt production. By converging DA and DOST efforts, the resolution aims to improve the productivity of salt producers and help reclaim the Philippines' lost self-sufficiency in salt, thereby positively impacting the livelihoods of salt farmers and contributing to the economic development of North Luzon.