The Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Regional Office 9, in partnership with the Local Government Unit of RT Lim, conducted a two-day training session aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Talisay Fishing and Agar-Agar Organization (TAFIARO) in solar salt production on March 6-7, 2024, in Barangay Gango, RT Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay. The training focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and was specifically designed to address the challenges and gaps in the local salt industry, with the goal of boosting salt production in the province. Under the DA-BFAR’s Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP), also known as Oplan Asin with the slogan ‘Pasiglahin, Sariling Ating Asin!. The initiative aims to provide support for production and marketing, as well as materials and activities to enhance capabilities and practices in salt production. This is accomplished while ensuring food safety standards, balancing industrial uses, and offering marketing support.

A total of 22 beneficiaries from TAFIARO participated in the said training program, during which the participants were equipped with a comprehensive understanding and essential skills in Solar Salt Production, covering site selection, preparations, and the final manufacturing and distribution aspects The training also included a summary of the nation’s salt industry, ASIN Law information, in-depth discussions on salt production technology, GMP regulations, proper handling, storage, SSOP, and a cost-benefit analysis of salt production. Practical technology simulations, including site setup, salt bed fabrication, harvesting, and skillful handling and packaging of salt, were conducted during the training activities.

Mr. Carlos Arcillas, President of TAFIARO, expressed gratitude for the project, stating, “Mapasalamaton kami nga benepisyaryo niining proyekto sa DA-BFAR, mupasalig ug palambuon pa namu kini, ug atimanon ang proyekto nga gihatag ka namo sa gobyerno ug masiguro ang padayun nga kalampusan.”(“As beneficiaries of this project from DA-BFAR we are very thankful, we promise to develop and take care of this project that the government has given us and make sure that this will be a successful one.”).

#TagapagtaguyodNgMalinisAtMasaganangKaragatan#MasaganangPangisdaanMaunladNaEkonomiya#BFAR#BFARZamPen#OplanAsin#PasiglahinSarilingAtingAsin#BagongPilipinas