Fisherfolk in Daram, Samar turn seawater into profit with new salt-making livelihood

By SAMAR NEWS.COM
September 18, 2026

CATBALOGAN CITY – Coastal communities in the island municipality of Daram are tapping into their most abundant resource to create a promising new source of income: seawater. Through the Development of the Salt Industry Project (DSIP), local fisherfolk associations have successfully launched solar salt production initiatives, providing a vital economic boost and a steady supply of salt for their existing fish-processing activities.

The initiative emerged after a joint study by OCEANA Philippines and the Center for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agri-based Innovation (CENSAAI) revealed nearly 40 percent in post-harvest fish losses in the area. Recognizing the need to support fish preservation, stakeholders identified local salt production as a strategic, low-cost solution for Daram-an island composed of 57 coastal communities where 98 percent of residents work as municipal fishers.

“Why do we need to buy salt from other regions or rely on imports when Samar is naturally surrounded by seawater?” asked Oscar M. Lim Jr., the designated officer of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist-Fisheries Services (OMA-FS). “Through local production, there is also an opportunity to reduce reliance on supplies that must be purchased from outside the municipality while providing productive livelihood opportunities for our coastal communities.”

Empowering Women in Coastal Communities

The program has proven particularly beneficial for women. Gilda Dosal Añez, President of the Daram Association of Fish and Squid Processors, highlighted the accessibility of the trade.

"Salt-making has great potential as a livelihood because it does not require a large amount of capital and can be easily managed, particularly by women," Añez shared as her association reaped the initial fruits of the project.

Using a simple but careful process, the women filter clean seawater and place it in drying areas lined with Low Linear Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The setups are covered with UV film to protect the salt from dust and contaminants. After four to five days of sunlight-driven evaporation, salt crystals form and are ready to be harvested.

The first production cycle has already yielded 180 kilograms of salt, which the associations are utilizing directly in their fish-drying activities. Excess salt can be sold locally for P20 per kilogram, creating a direct supplementary income stream.

Multi-Sectoral Support and Investment

The success of the salt-making venture is the result of collaborative support from government agencies, civil society, and the academe. The Local Government Unit of Daram organized the associations, provided initial seed capital, and connected them with relevant agencies. CENSAII of Northern Samar offered hands-on technical assistance and benchmarking opportunities.

Crucial funding and materials came from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 8 through the DSIP. The Daram Association of Fish and Squid Processors (16 members) and the Brgy. Ubo Dried Fish Vendors Association (25 members) received a combined P750,000 worth of equipment, including a generator, a submersible pump, and HDPE drums. Additionally, both groups received P100,000 each in LLDPE liners, alongside comprehensive capability-building training held in Tacloban City.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Regional Reach

Building on their early success, the associations plan to expand by adding more liner setups and moving toward the mass production of iodized, food-grade salt. They are also exploring value-adding opportunities and hoping to replicate the technology in neighboring barangays.

To support this growth, BFAR 8 is set to distribute P300,000 worth of Collapsible Salt Production Setups to Daram associations, aiming to further increase production capacity.