TACLOBAN CITY – The Provincial Government of Northern Samar (PGNS) has partnered with national government agencies to enhance the province’s blue economy.
Their first initiative, launched in Barangay Sangputan, San Vicente Island is the Salt and Sardines Production Facility, operated by the Sangputan Workers Association (SWA).
SWA focuses on salt production, which helps preserve their catch and supplies the local market.
The said model was developed through a workshop that assessed community resources, market needs, and post-harvest issues, aimed at converting raw marine resources into higher-value products for local and commercial use.
The towns along the San Bernardino Strait face significant post-harvest losses in their fisheries, exceeding 38 percent of total production, due to poor handling practices and lack of storage facilities among local fishers.
Projections indicate that SWA can initially produce over 18 kilograms of salt per week for each crystallization module, with plans to scale up production as the facility expands.
During its inauguration on Tuesday (August 12) the provincial government, through PEDIPO, officially turned over PHP926,248.60 worth of equipment, materials, and capacity-building support
Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan recognized the support of Mayor Edgar Catarongan, Jr. and the local government unit of San Vicente in bringing the project to life.
Ongchuan expressed optimism that the success of the program in Sangputan will encourage similar efforts in other municipalities, fostering sustainable livelihoods and rural enterprise development. By Marie Tonette Marticio (EV Mail AUGUST 11-17, 2025 issue)
