The Reality of Salt Making in the Philippines (Irasan Salt)

FEATR
16 Jul 202313:40
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script narrates the plight of traditional salt making in the Philippines, a practice that is rapidly disappearing. Once a thriving industry with self-sufficiency, the craft has been severely impacted by import liberalization, urbanization, and the 1995 Asin Law mandating iodized salt, which led to a decline in salt farms. The script introduces viewers to the Heirloom Irasan of Kawit, Cavite, and its remaining salt makers, who face the arduous task of salt production during the dry season, only to be challenged by unpredictable weather and the effects of climate change. The story of 55-year-old Nerly Kahalili illustrates the personal struggles and the labor-intensive process of salt making, from preparing salt beds to harvesting. The video also touches upon the economic hardship salt makers face, earning meager incomes for their work. It concludes with a call to support local salt producers and a discussion on the potential amendment to the Asin Law that may revive the traditional salt industry by exempting artisanal salts from iodization requirements, allowing them to be sold legally and fostering a Geographical Indication for local products.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 The Philippines, an archipelago, has the fifth longest shoreline in the world, which historically supported a thriving salt industry.
  • 🏖️ Salt making is now a dying tradition in the Philippines, with the number of salt farms dwindling due to various factors.
  • 📉 Import liberalization and urbanization, along with the Asin Law of 1995, have contributed to the decline of the salt industry.
  • 👵 Meet Nerly Kahalili, a 55-year-old salt maker who learned the craft in the '80s and now tends to the salt beds mostly on his own.
  • ☀️ Salt harvesting is a labor-intensive process that takes place during the dry season, with preparation starting as early as December.
  • 💧 The process involves transferring seawater through a series of basins to increase salinity before the water is ready for salt production.
  • 🔍 Different depositories are used to store water at varying salinity levels, with the final 'ultimo' deposit reaching 8 to 10 on the salinity scale.
  • 🌈 The sequence of salt harvesting affects its color and uses, with the first harvest being grayish and suitable for preservation and the second being whiter and used for baking.
  • 💰 Salt makers earn a modest income, with 200 to 300 pesos for every sack of salt after about 8 months of work.
  • ⛈ Climate change has a direct impact on salt making, with unpredictable weather affecting both the quality and quantity of the harvest.
  • 🌾 The ASIN Law, which mandates iodization of all sold salt, has had a significant negative impact on traditional salt makers who lack the means to iodize their salt.
  • 🏛️ Recent amendments to the law may offer a lifeline to artisanal salt producers, distinguishing their product and allowing them to compete in the market.
Q & A

  • What is the Philippines' ranking in terms of the length of its shoreline?

    -The Philippines has the fifth longest shoreline in the world, with more than 36,000 kilometers.

  • Why is the salt-making tradition in the Philippines considered a dying tradition?

    -Salt making is a dying tradition in the Philippines due to import liberalization, urbanization, and the Asin Law of 1995 which disallowed the sale of uniodized salt, leading to a decline in salt farms.

  • What is the term used to refer to salt beds in the Philippines?

    -The term used to refer to salt beds in the Philippines is 'irasans'.

  • How has climate change affected the salt-making process in the Philippines?

    -Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, causing rain during what should be the dry season for salt harvesting, which negatively impacts the quality and quantity of salt produced.

  • What was the impact of the ASIN Law on the salt industry in the Philippines?

    -The ASIN Law mandated that all salt sold in the country be iodized, which led to the decline of the local salt industry as many salt farmers could not iodize their salt and selling non-iodized salt became technically illegal.

  • How much does a salt maker earn for a sack of salt after about 8 months of work?

    -A salt maker earns between 200 to 300 pesos for every sack of salt after approximately 8 months of work.

  • What are the different depositories used in the salt-making process and what is their purpose?

    -The different depositories used in the salt-making process are 'deposito', 'primera', 'segunda', 'tercera', and 'ultimo'. They are used to store seawater in different stages of salinity to increase the richness of the salt.

  • What is the significance of the amendment to the ASIN Law regarding artisanal salts?

    -The amendment to the ASIN Law carves out artisanal salts from the iodization mandate, allowing them to be sold legally. This aims to support small local farmers and promote the revival of traditional salt-making practices.

  • What is the importance of supporting local salt producers?

    -Supporting local salt producers helps sustain their livelihoods and traditions, brings unique flavors to consumers' tables, and encourages discussions about the state of agricultural systems and the impact of climate change on local industries.

  • How does the weather affect the quality of salt produced by the salt makers?

    -The weather significantly affects the quality of salt. Salt harvested during the northeast monsoon is considered better, while salt harvested during rainy weather becomes more coarse in texture and of lower quality.

  • What is the role of the 'banigan' in the salt-making process?

    -The 'banigan' is a flat base established on the salt beds by piling mounds of mud. It serves as the surface where salt water is dried to produce salt.

  • What are the challenges faced by salt makers due to the weather and climate change?

    -Salt makers face challenges such as unpredictable weather leading to rain during the dry season, which can wash away salt beds, require additional work to clean and prepare the beds again, and result in a loss of harvest and income.

Outlines
00:00
🌊 The Decline of the Philippine Salt Industry

The first paragraph introduces the Philippines as an archipelago with the fifth longest shoreline in the world, which historically supported a thriving salt industry. However, this tradition is now fading. The script pays tribute to the 'irasans', traditional salt beds, and the salt makers who work under harsh conditions. It recounts the story of Nerly Kahalili, a 55-year-old salt maker, and outlines the laborious process of salt production, from cleaning salt beds during the dry season to transferring seawater between basins to increase salinity before the final evaporation and harvesting. The paragraph also discusses the impact of import liberalization, urbanization, and the Asin Law of 1995 on the decline of salt farms and the livelihoods of salt makers.

05:01
🌞 Salt Harvesting and the Impact of Climate Change

The second paragraph delves into the various uses of the salt harvested at different times, with the first harvest being grayish and used for preservation, while the subsequent, whiter harvest is sold to bakeries and for direct consumption. The earnings of salt makers are meager, and climate change has significantly affected their work, with unpredictable weather patterns disrupting the harvest season. The narrative includes personal accounts from salt makers on how rain during the summer months has led to failed harvests and financial struggles. The effects of weather on salt quality are also described, with the salt being coarser when harvested during rainy weather. The paragraph ends with the salt makers' resilience and acceptance of the uncertainties they face due to climate change and the ASIN Law's impact on their industry.

10:02
🗝️ The Legacy of the ASIN Law and the Future of Salt Making

The third paragraph discusses the challenges faced by the salt industry due to the ASIN Law, which mandates the iodization of all salt sold in the Philippines. This law, while aimed at addressing iodine deficiency, inadvertently led to the decline of the traditional salt industry, as many salt farmers could not iodize their salt and were forced to abandon their trade. The paragraph highlights the struggles of salt farmers, the lack of interest in the craft, and the impact of the law on their sales and livelihoods. However, there is hope with the recent amendment to the law that excludes artisanal salts from the iodization mandate, allowing them to be sold legally. The amendment aims to support small local farmers and promote the diversity of salt-making processes across the country, potentially leading to a Geographical Indication for local products. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to support local salt producers and to engage in discussions about the state of agricultural systems.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Archipelago
An archipelago is a group of islands. In the context of the video, the Philippines is referred to as an archipelago, which contributes to its extensive shoreline and the abundance of salt. The term is significant as it sets the geographical stage for the salt-making tradition discussed in the video.
💡Salt Industry
The salt industry refers to the sector involved in the production and distribution of salt. The video discusses the decline of the salt industry in the Philippines, which was once thriving. The salt industry is central to the video's theme, as it explores the cultural and economic impact of its decline.
💡Salt Beds
Salt beds, also referred to as 'irasans' in the video, are shallow artificial basins used to extract salt from seawater through natural evaporation. They are a key component in the traditional salt-making process described, representing both a cultural heritage and the labor-intensive work of salt makers.
💡Salt Harvesting
Salt harvesting is the process of collecting salt after it has crystallized from evaporated seawater. The video highlights that this was once a well-rewarded practice in the Philippines, with the harvest season strictly during the dry season. The concept is integral to the video's narrative, illustrating the seasonal and labor-intensive nature of traditional salt production.
💡Urbanization
Urbanization refers to the growth of cities and towns, often at the expense of rural areas. In the video, urbanization is mentioned as one of the factors contributing to the decline in salt farms, as it leads to the loss of traditional practices and the land needed for salt production.
💡Asin Law
The Asin Law, passed in 1995, required that all salt sold in the Philippines be iodized. The law is a critical turning point in the video's narrative, as it led to the decline of traditional salt making by making the sale of non-iodized salt illegal, thus impacting the livelihoods of salt farmers.
💡Salt Makers
Salt makers are individuals who engage in the craft of traditional salt production. The video features the personal stories of salt makers like Nerly Kahalili, illustrating the challenges they face due to climate change, legal restrictions, and market shifts. The term 'salt makers' is central to the video's exploration of cultural heritage and the impact of modernization on traditional livelihoods.
💡Climate Change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns. The video discusses how salt makers are on the front lines of climate change, with unpredictable weather patterns affecting the quality and quantity of salt harvests. This keyword is essential to understanding the modern challenges faced by traditional salt production.
💡Iodization
Iodization is the process of adding iodine to salt to prevent iodine deficiency. The video explains that the mandatory iodization of salt, as per the Asin Law, has had unintended consequences for traditional salt makers who were unable to iodize their salt. This keyword is pivotal in understanding the legal and health-related factors influencing the salt industry.
💡Geographical Indication
Geographical Indication (GI) is a label that denotes a product originates from a specific region and possesses qualities or a reputation due to that origin. The video mentions the goal of GI for local products as a way to distinguish and protect traditional methods of salt production. This concept is significant as it represents a potential pathway for the revival and recognition of traditional salt-making practices.
💡Artisanal Salts
Artisanal salts are salts produced using traditional methods and are often considered to have a higher quality or value than mass-produced salts. The video discusses the amendment to the law that allows artisanal salts to be sold, separate from the mandatory iodization law. This keyword is important as it signifies a potential revival of traditional salt-making and a market for high-quality, locally-produced salt.
Highlights

The Philippines has the fifth longest shoreline in the world, with over 36,000 km, leading to an abundance of salt.

Salt making in the Philippines is a dying tradition, with the number of salt farms dwindling in recent years.

In the early 1990s, the Philippines was self-sufficient in salt with 5 major producers. But import liberalization and urbanization led to a decline.

The Asin Law passed in 1995, requiring all salt to be iodized, dealt a major blow to the traditional salt industry.

Salt farmers were forced to abandon their craft as selling non-iodized salt became technically illegal under the Asin Law.

The artisanal salt making process is labor-intensive, taking place during the dry season and involving meticulous preparation beforehand.

Salt makers use a series of depositories to gradually increase the salinity level of the seawater through evaporation.

Different harvests yield salt of varying colors and uses, from grayish salt for preservation to whiter salt for baking and consumption.

Salt farmers earn a meager income of just 200-300 pesos per sack of salt after 8 months of hard work.

Unpredictable weather and the effects of climate change have made salt farming even more challenging and risky.

The traditional salt industry has been struggling to compete with imported, iodized salt that is cheaper than locally produced salt.

An amendment to the Asin Law has recently passed, carving out artisanal salts from the iodization requirement and allowing them to be sold.

The bill aims to help small local salt farmers compete globally and promote the unique salt making processes in different regions of the Philippines.

The future of the Irasan and the traditional salt industry remains uncertain, but supporting local salt producers can help spark a revival.

The documentary serves as a love letter to the beautiful salt beds of the past and the few remaining salt farmers who carry on the tradition.

The salt farmers' stories highlight the challenges they face from climate change, changing consumer preferences, and government policies.

The documentary calls on viewers to support local salt producers and engage in conversations about the state of our agricultural systems.

Transcripts

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Salt MakingPhilippinesTraditionClimate ImpactSustainabilityAgriculturalIrasanSalt IndustryLegislationCultural HeritageEconomic ChallengesEnvironmental AwarenessTraditional CraftsCommunity SupportIodization LawGeographical Indication