Support to the Salt Industry.
Section 6
SEC. 6. Support to the Salt Industry. – The following agencies and institutions shall support the salt iodization program through their respective internal programs: the DTI is hereby required to assist and support local salt producers/manufacturers in upgrading their production technologies to include iodization by helping them obtain soft loans and financial assistance for the procurement of salt iodization machines, packaging equipment and technology and fortificant; and by ensuring the systematic distribution of the iodized salt in the market; the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA) shall assist the formation of cooperatives of local salt producers/ manufacturers in order that they can economically engage in salt iodization and distribution of iodized salt; the DOST, in collaboration with the TLRC, shall develop and implement comprehensive programs for the acquisition of, design and manufacture of salt iodization machines and transfer of salt iodization technology to small and subsistence local salt producers/manufacturers; and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other appropriate government agencies shall identify areas that are suitable for use as salt farms with the purpose of protecting such areas from environmental risks to ensure sustainability of iodized salt production.