Once the second-largest salt producer in Western Visayas, Negros Occidental now faces a severe salt production decline due to erratic weather patterns and the early onset of the rainy season.
According to the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), salt output from January to March reached only 181.25 metric tons, a dramatic drop from the provinceโs usual 3,000+ metric tons during the JanuaryโMay season. Bago City, historically a key salt-producing area, recorded no production in the first quarter.
Rising sea levels, inconsistent temperatures, and poor evaporation conditions are also impacting salt quality. BFAR and local governments are rolling out interventions, including:
- A four-year salt industry project
- Expansion of solar salt facilities
- Support for community-based salt enterprises
Despite the challenges, local leaders reaffirm their commitment to preserving salt as part of the provinceโs cultural and economic identity.
