ILOILO City – Consumers in Western Visayas should not worry. There is enough supply of salt in the region, according to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional director Remia A. Aparri.
She has not received any report or feedback from both consumers and businessmen that there is shortage in the market.
An average of 1,214 metric tons of salt is produced yearly by 118 salt processors from the provinces of Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, BFAR Region 6 data showed.
The region’s annual demand for salt is about 1,375 metric tons, based on the study of the World Health Organization stating that every individual needs about five grams of salt per day.
The 161 metric tons deficit is being covered by purchases from other provinces such as Occidental Mindoro, the leading producer of salt in the country, and by imports of the national government.
Thus, according to Appari, there isn’t a reason for the alleged spike in the price of salt.
“Salt is an important commodity…Kon puede nga tama-tama lang nga presyo,” added Aparri.
Based on the Suggested Retail Prices (SRP) of basic necessities and prime commodities (as of Aug. 12) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), these are the prices:
For iodized rock salt
* 250 gram – P7 to P11.25
* 500 grams – P12.50 to P21.75
* One kilogram – P23
For Iodized salt
* 100 grams – P4.50
* 250 grams – P9 to P11.75
* 500 grams – P16 to P21.25
* One kilogram – P29
BFAR-6 has teams checking if salt prices in the market are within the SRP./PN
