Section 4Sec./Art. 4

Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap (Salt Roadmap). - For the attainment of the objectives of this Act, there shall be formulated and established a Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap (Salt Roadmap), which shall include, but not limited t, programs, projects and interventions for the development and management, research, processing, utilization, business modernization, and commercialization of Philippine salt: Provided, That the Salt Roadmap shall be aligned with the objectives and continued implementation of Republic Act No. 8172 or "An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)", which shall include the mandatory iodization of all food-grade salt and shall have the following objectives, among others:

(a) Increase salt production in order to attain salt self-sufficiency, and become a net exporter of salt;

(b) Encourage salt farming and expand the number of salt producing areas;

(c) Ensure the sustainable production, management and harvesting, and soil and water conservation practices in salt-farming areas;

(d) Promote public and private investments in the salt industry development programs;

(e) Ensure the sustainability and viability of the salt industry through the establishment of cooperatives among salt farmers and salt producers in order to optimize local production and improve access to government interventions, assistance and incentives;

(f) Advance market access for Philippine salt products locally and internationally;

(g) Support research and development (R&D) activities for salt production and processing and introduce new and appropriate technology based on R&D outputs;

(h) Ensure regular funding for salt production, processing, commercial and marketing programs and projects and provide technical and financial assistance in the local design and fabrication of high-capacity processing equipment and machineries for the salt industry and salt iodization; and

(i) Provide continuous training and capacity building in the salt industry development.