DMMMSU-NLUC, Fisheries Research Training Institute (FRTI) in collaboration with DA-BFAR, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) – Aurora, and the Municipality Agriculture Offices (MAOs) of Casiguran and Dilasag extended the HDPE Liner Technology in Solar Sea Salt Production to fisherfolks in the municipalities of Casiguran and Dilasag, Aurora on June 13 to 16, 2022.
The training aimed to extend DMMMSU’s technology in producing local but quality sea salt through solar evaporation using Geomembrane-High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) food-grade plastic platform across coastal communities in the country.
With Dr. Andie John D. Tadeo, Director of DMMMSU-NLUC, FRTI and one of the Project Leaders of the Sea Salt Project in La Union as the resource speaker, participants were able to understand the process and realize the benefits of this technology.
Dr. Westly R. Rosario, who serves as the consultant in the implementation of the project, described the salt product from Dr. Tadeo’s project: “The initial lab results of Dr. Tadeo’s work indicated very high natural iodine content of the salt similar to one high value salt available in foreign markets. Added to this are various minerals and nutrients absent in boiled salts.”
In an interview with one of the fisherfolks who has been producing salt through boiling seawater on large cauldrons fired by wood, he mentioned that this kind of salt production is more economical and is labor-saving. He likewise mentioned that this is environment friendly as it does not require burning wood.
Dilasag Municipal Mayor Joe P. Gorospe was happy to note that this technology will help fisherfolks to augment their income.
This technology transfer through trainings which commenced early last year and was extended to different barangays in the municipalities of Bangar, Balaoan and Bacnotan, La Union received promising feedback from the various beneficiaries.
Aside from the solar sea salt production, DMMMSU likewise presented other livelihood opportunities to the participants through the lectures of Mr. Richard N. Rivera, Ms. Aisha Marie O. Anneb and Ms. Donna P. Perol on sea urchin aquaculture, seaweed pickles, and seaweed bath soap, respectively.
This training was sponsored by OPAG – Aurora. Also present and in full support were Aquaculturist Maximina Ligaya C. Roque, MAO-Casiguran Leonisa T. Curitana, MAO-Dilasag Elizabeth A. Pascual, Dilasag Municipal Mayor Joe P. Gorospe, OPAG Supervising Agriculturist Venus B. Estacio, DMMMSU-NLUC Extension Head Dr. Violeta F. Collado, BFAR Fisheries Livelihood Development Technician Renel Peña and DMMMSU-NLUC & OPAG Support staff. (MEDP)
