The Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (DOST 1), led by its Officer-in-Charge - Regional Director, Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog, recently inked with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 (BFAR 1), DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMSU) a Memorandum of Understanding on One Accelerating Salt Innovations (OneASIN) on March 3, 2023, at the Regional Freshwater Aquaculture Technology Demonstration Center (RFATDeC)-Paoay, Ilocos Norte.  

"OneASIN" is a framework conceptualized by Dr. Tabaog in accelerating salt innovations in Region 1 via DOST-assisted technologies through the DOST-ITDI and the DMMSU. The current salt technologies of DMMSU are under the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) project funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) of DOST and DOST 1. 

Meanwhile, BFAR 1 is the lead partner in adapting and commercializing locally developed salt production technologies under its Oplan Asin, where 43 salt production facilities were already fabricated by BFAR 1 using DOST-ITDI technologies.   

DOST-ITDI has already started technical training for various salt producers in Ilocos Norte. It will soon be conducted too in Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan provinces.  

With DOST's mandate to provide central direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technological efforts in the country and ensure that the results therefrom are geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people, Dr. Tabaog further explained that OneASIN, as an S&T development approach can be used by BFAR 1 as a best practice in the implementation of Oplan Asin in Region 1. 

Further, she said that the framework should be expanded to include other players. Hence, the collaboration will not only be limited to technologies related to salt production but to other areas like organization and management, marketing, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure project sustainability. 

Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep Sandro Marcos through Mr. Edwin Carino all supported the ASIN initiatives of DOST, BFAR, and DMMSU in the Ilocadia.