AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Thursday hailed the impending passage of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act as a significant step to addressing the need for employment and high-growth industries that will contribute to the country’s economic growth, and urged the government to properly implement its provisions so it achieves its objectives.
Following the bicameral conference that reconciled the versions of the bills passed by the House and the Senate, Lee said that “our work does not end with the signing of this measure into law.”
“Babantayan natin ito para masigurado na matupad ang layunin ng batas. Hangad natin na makinabang talaga ang taumbayan sa batas na ito, lalo na ang mga sitio at komunidad sa ating coastlines.”
Lee, principal author of the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, explained that the revival of the salt industry has the potential to generate thousands of new jobs, particularly in the countryside and coastal communities.
For the law to achieve its objectives, the Bicolano lawmaker said the government should adopt and apply the acronym “ASIN,” which stands for the following:
· A: Advancing Market Strategies and Expansion of salt farms.
· S: Sufficient appropriation and funding
· I: Innovative Techniques in Salt Development
· N: National Salt Development Roadmap
Lee added that another key component of the success of the new law “is the proper use of the SIDCEF or Salt Industry Development and Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (SIDCEF), which will be sourced from the tariffs on salt imports, which will be increased to 9%.”
“Mahalaga na magamit ang pondo na ito nang maayos. We have to make sure that it is used for the purposes for which it was created so it helps its intended beneficiaries,” said the legislator.
“With proper monitoring and implementation, this law will empower the industry so it can generate jobs and make the country salt self-sufficient; dito, Winner Tayo Lahat.”
