Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., Dr. Junifer Rey E. Tabafunda, and Dr. Andie John D. Tadeo recently visited The Salt Industry Center (TSIC) in Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan.

They inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Salt Industry Center. They also received training in advanced salt production and processing technology. The training covers ion exchange membranes, vacuum evaporation, and equipment used to characterize salt and utilize byproducts. They also benchmarked on Japan’s best practices to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the salt industry.

Dr. Manuel, Jr., Dr. Tabafunda, and Dr. Tadeo comprise the project team for the DOST-GIA funded project titled Value Adding of Sea Salt and Utilization of its byproducts under the Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of Research and Development Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness: Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER): Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation Center (ASIN CENTER).

They were joined by DOST REGION 1 Director Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog, BFAR Regional Director Dr. Sedundina Rosario P. Gaerlan and Ms. Remely Lachicha (BFAR rEGION 1 Chief Aquaculturist Head-Fisheries Production Support Services Division), Richar Aba (Program Manager, NICER-ASIN Cemter from DOST-PCIEERD) and President of Philippine Salt Industry Network (PhilASIN), Mr. Gerard Khonghun. The Program Leader for the NICER ASIN Center is the Pangasinan State University (PSU). (By RMV)