LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan (PGP) through the Pangasinan Salt Center will supply 6,904 bags of Agricultural Grade Salt Fertilizer (AGSF) in Region III and MIMAROPA for the implementation of the Coconut Fertilization Program of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
An active supporter of the PCA’s Coconut Planting and Replanting Program, the PGP, under the stewardship of Governor Ramon V. Guico III, is committed to extending its cooperative efforts to the various programs and projects of the national government.
As such, the PCA is currently implementing the Coconut Planting and Replanting Program, which aims to fully revitalize the coconut industry by planting 100 million trees from 2023 to 2028.
The province’s 473-hectare salt farm in Zaragoza, Bolinao, on the other hand, will supply the salt requirement in the areas identified by the PCA for its project.
Chlorine deficiency in coconut was found to be widespread in inland areas. A PCA survey conducted nationwide reportedly showed that at least 40 coconut-producing provinces are severely chlorine deficient.
Based on studies, the use of sodium chloride (NaCl) or common salt as fertilizer is a practical means of increasing coconut yield or production.
“A partnership between the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan would help achieve the goal to help the coconut industry for the benefit of both small coconut and salt farmers,” the approved provincial board resolution authored by Board Member Nicholi Jan Louie Q. Sison partly stated.
The Pangasinan Salt Center, which is now being operated by the provincial government through the leadership of Gov. Guico, has an available supply of approximately 3,000 metric tons of salt and can supply the required quantity of locally produced agricultural-grade salt fertilizer for the PCA’s Coconut Fertilization Program.
In his previous State of the Province Address (SOPA), Gov. Guico stated that the provincial government took the bull by the horns in responding to the challenge of President Ferdinand R. Marcos when the latter signed the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, or RA 11985.
“We need to drastically reduce our dependency on imported salt and produce 100% of our consumption needs. We must even think of becoming a net exporter of salt in the future,” the governor disclosed further, citing that the province fully supports all other endeavors of the national government, including the programs and projects of the PCA.
Hence, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) shall be signed by Gov. Guico and PCA Administrator and CEO, Dr. Dexter R. Buted. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
