The PHP94-million salt research and innovation center at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) Binmaley Campus was formally opened Tuesday with the aim to increase production and provide research materials for the province’s salt industry.

The center was funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development through a grant under the Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development for PSU’s Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation (ASIN) program.

PSU President Dr. Elbert Galas, in his speech, said the project was started in 2023 with the funding covering the maintenance and other operating expenses, equipment and machines capital outlay.

“And in 2024, we mark the construction of the ASIN center building, and at the same time, forming local and international strategic partnerships with Japan, India, Indonesia, and local provinces, towns, and municipalities, including Iloilo, Guimaras, Sulu, Occidental Mindoro, Infanta, Dasol, Bani, Anda, Alaminos, Bolinao, and more,” he said.

They also tied up with other national government agencies.

He said the ASIN center program is expected to revitalize the salt industry through sustainability, technological advancement, and cultural preservation.

“We do more than unveiling laboratories and research spaces. We articulate a promise to our salt farmers, our students, and our vision. We affirm that the vision deserves the illumination of science, that regional industries merit global competitiveness, and that progress is strongest when it is inclusive and sustainable,” he said.

Pangasinan provincial assistant agriculturist Nestor Batalla said the center would help address the many concerns of the salt industry.

“We do not have surplus of literature on the salt production. There is a shortage of research, innovation, and development on production. There is a scarcity of research geared towards increasing local salt production. So that we can envision ourselves to be exporters and not just importers of salt,” he said.

He said many factors contributed to the decline of domestic production of salt, such as failure to adapt to the changes brought about by climate change, passage of the Asin Law, profitable land use conversion, market competition, and stringent food safety standards and product quality requirements, among others, which could be addressed through research.

The center forged academic partnerships with Mariano Marcos State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, and President Ramon Magsaysay State University. (PNA)