By Kenneth Marcos 
On a quiet morning by the salt beds, farmers from coastal towns listened closely as a new message reached them at the same time across the country: working together is now the key to saving the Philippine salt industry.
From November 24 to 27, 2025, a nationwide orientation on salt cooperative formation was held simultaneously in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The four-day activity brought together salt farmers, local government officials, and industry workers under one clear goal—to organize producers into strong cooperatives and revive local salt production.
The orientation was led by Dr. Hannibal M. Chavez, head of the National Salt Program Management Office under the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–Development of Salt Industry Project. It marked a major step in the government’s long-term plan to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported salt and strengthen food security.
For decades, many Filipino salt farmers have worked alone, producing small volumes with limited access to capital, technology, and markets. This has made local salt less competitive against cheaper imports. According to industry data, the Philippines imports most of its salt needs each year, despite having long coastlines suitable for salt farming.
Officials said the orientation aimed to change this situation by focusing on three key objectives.
First was the consolidation of production. By forming cooperatives, individual salt farmers can pool their resources, share equipment, and produce larger volumes. This allows them to lower costs, improve quality, and negotiate better prices with buyers.
Second was capacity building. Participants were trained on the basics of cooperative management, including legal requirements, financial management, and democratic decision-making. These lessons are meant to help cooperatives remain transparent, stable, and sustainable in the long run.
Third was aligning local efforts with national goals. The government wants salt production to support food security, job creation, and industrial self-reliance. Organizing producers makes it easier to deliver support programs, such as training, infrastructure, and access to credit.
What made the activity stand out was its simultaneous conduct nationwide. While sessions were held in different regions, the message was the same: no salt farmer should be left behind because of location. This approach also allowed farmers from different areas to feel part of a single national movement.
During the discussions, farmers shared common problems such as rising production costs, lack of storage facilities, and climate risks. At the same time, they identified shared solutions through cooperation and government support. Many participants expressed hope that forming cooperatives would finally give them a stronger voice in the industry.
The program was supported by the Cooperative Development Authority, BFAR regional focal persons, and local partners who guided participants through the process of organizing and registering cooperatives.
Officials said the successful completion of the orientation shows that the foundation for a cooperative-driven salt industry is now in place. The next steps include formal registration of cooperatives, continued training, and linking groups to markets and financing.
As the country pushes forward with its salt industry roadmap, the government is counting on unity among producers to make the effort succeed. For many salt farmers, the message is clear: progress will come faster when they move together.
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