SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in La Union launched Shared Service Facilities (SSF) for sea salt production and postharvest processing facility and application of salt for glazing of pottery products aimed at revitalizing the province’s salt and pottery industries.
The facilities were inaugurated on Jan. 16 at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-North La Union Campus-Fisheries and Research Training Institute (DMMMSU-NLUC-FRTI) in Balaoan, La Union.
The launch reaffirms the government’s goal of empowering local industries and driving economic growth.
By equipping local entrepreneurs with the tools they need, the DTI aims to pave the way for a thriving salt industry and a stronger economy in La Union.
What is SSF?
The SSF program is an initiative of the DTI designed to improve the productivity and competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing access to machinery, equipment, tools, systems, and knowledge.
SSF is a public-private partnership where cooperators provide space for machinery and equipment, making them available to MSMEs.
These cooperators can include government entities like national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and technical or vocational schools, as well as private organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), cooperatives, and people’s organizations.
Industries that can avail of this program include those producing processed food, coffee, cacao, dairy, fruits and nuts, coconut, marine products, bamboo, furniture, metals, rubber, and renewable energy, among others.
Addressing key challenges in the local salt industry
This initiative, a collaborative effort between the DTI-La Union and the DMMMSU-NLUC-FRTI, seeks to address key challenges faced by MSMEs in the salt industry.
Through the facilities, producers can ensure their salt products meet industry standards—a common hurdle for local producers in La Union—while also adopting sustainable practices.
Moreover, the facility incorporates the use of salt in pottery glazing, further diversifying the industry’s applications and reducing production costs.
The SSF helps salt-producing associations and pottery makers from the La Union towns of Bangar, Bacnotan, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Sto. Tomas, Rosario, and the city of San Fernando.
The project was realized through funding worth P4,588,400.00 from the DTI for production, processing, and salt glazing.
An additional P2,000,000.00 was spent by the DMMMSU for housing the project.
DTI-Region 1 Acting Regional Director Merlie Membrere highlighted the agency’s optimism about harnessing natural resources to drive sustainable livelihoods.
“Everything that is free, such as salt water, air, and sunlight, is crucial. It makes sense to use these resources to create and sustain livelihoods,” Membrere remarked, emphasizing the importance of utilizing readily available resources as viable sources of livelihood.
Empowering local MSMEs
The facilities enable MSMEs to gain access to advanced equipment, cutting-edge technology, and specialized training, helping them enhance their competitiveness in local and global markets.
DMMMSU-NLUC-FRTI Director, Dr. Andie John Tadeo, underscored the project’s goal of empowering local artisans and producers while boosting economic growth and job creation in the region.
“Through these efforts, we aim to empower our artisans and producers to harness the potential of their craft while also contributing to economic growth and job creation in the region,” Tadeo said.
Froylan Draman, a beneficiary and member of the Tabuk Fishermen Association in San Juan, La Union, meanwhile emphasized the importance of the project in equipping associations with skills to enhance their craft and livelihoods.
“These Shared Service Facilities are a big help for our association for us to learn the proper way of making salt. In addition, salt can also be used as glaze for our pottery, so this is really beneficial for us,” Draman said.
The launch of the SSF aligns with the implementation of Republic Act No. 11985, also known as the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.
This law seeks to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the Salt Roadmap and to fast-track the modernization and industrialization of the Philippine salt industry.
For further details, MSMEs may contact the DTI-La Union through (072) 607-4459 or 0966-8114579, or via email at [email protected].
Additional details on the SSF may be accessed through the DTI website at https://www.dti.gov.ph/negosyo/shared-service-facilities/. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
