The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 10 (Northern Mindanao) is spearheading efforts to revitalize Misamis Oriental’s salt industry through innovative technologies, officials said Tuesday.

DOST-10 Assistant Director Virgilio Fuertes said during the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” forum that the agency has partnered with the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) to modernize traditional salt production in Alubijid town.

“While local producers have relied on sun-drying since the 1980s, our new cooking and evaporation technologies will enable year-round production, even during rainy seasons,” Fuertes explained.

The initiative comes as part of DOST-10’s broader economic development programs in Northern Mindanao.

Under the Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST) program, the agency completed PHP19.2 million in funding last year, supporting 20 projects that benefited 30 people’s organizations.

The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) also allocated PHP39.8 million to 43 enterprises, resulting in 500 new jobs.

Current monitoring shows 136 ongoing projects across the region, with 59 percent reporting combined revenues of PHP817.7 million and demonstrating an average income growth of 21 percent.

DOST-10 Director Romela Ratilla said the revival of the salt industry aligns with their four-pillar framework focusing on wealth creation, protection, sustainability, and human well-being.

“From salt production to high-tech enterprises, we’re creating sustainable livelihoods across all sectors,” Ratilla said.

He said local salt producers welcomed the technological intervention, noting it could triple their current output while maintaining product quality. The DOST plans to conduct hands-on training in Alubijid next month to demonstrate the new evaporation systems. (PNA)