Ex-settlers of Sitio Russia try salt-making project
FAMILIES that were relocated to give way to the P110 million Seafood Processing Plant in Sitio Russia, Barangay Bonuan Binloc have been introduced to salt-making and are now producing commercial salt as a community livelihood project.
The livelihood program is an initiative of the Millennium Development Goals-Family-based Action for Children and their Environs in the Slums (MDG-FACES) in cooperation with the Dagupan City government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
MDG-FACES’ Marge Navata said the project started on March 31 with the installation of 10 initial plots or salt beds.
These were built through the joint efforts of the city engineering office, BFAR and the beneficiaries of MDG-FACES themselves.
When the plots were ready, these were filled with salt water that was examined thoroughly by BFAR.
Under the current scorching heat of the sun, the salt water easily turns into pure salt and processed for domestic consumption after just seven days.
The BFAR said each salt bed produces 25 kilos of salt.
The market retail price of salt is currently at P5 per small tin can.
Navata said per an agreement, the beneficiaries will share one half of their produce to MDG-FACES, adding that she will encourage other people to build their salt beds.
Meanwhile, Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said the salt-making project is just one of the many income-generating programs that were given to former settlers of Sitio Russia who were transferred to a new area called Sitio Korea where 96 row houses were initially built by the city for them.
Fernandez said the city government will provide water pumps to ensure faster transfer of salt water to the beds.
Other livelihood projects that will be introduced there include soap-making, tinapa-making and masonry with the help of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority and other government agencies
Fernandez also noted that residents of Sitio Korea have already adopted to their new environment.–LM
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