ALUBIJID, Misamis Oriental – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – 10 (BFAR-10) through its Development of Salt Industry Project (DSIP), launched the Galing Asinan 2026: Search for Outstanding Salt Farm on January 5, 2026, in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

The launching event gathered family-operated salt farmers, key officials from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Alubijid headed by Mayor Emmanuel L. Jamis, and other stakeholders involved in the development of the local salt industry, highlighting their shared commitment to strengthen and sustain salt production in the municipality.

The Galing Asinan 2026 aims to recognize outstanding salt farms that demonstrate good practices in cleanliness, safety, proper farm management, and strong family participation. Through this initiative, BFAR seeks to encourage more family-run salt farms to engage in safe, sustainable, and organized salt production while uplifting the livelihoods of local salt producers.

According to Mary Joy A. Tac-an, DSIP focal person, the program also serves as a platform to formally introduce Galing Asinan 2026 to the local salt farming community and encourage eligible farms to participate in the competition. The initiative is expected to further strengthen Alubijid’s position as a key contributor to the salt industry in Mindanao.

In his message, BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward B. Yasay emphasized the importance of sustaining salt production in the municipality, noting that Alubijid is recognized as the center of salt production in Mindanao. He encouraged salt farmers to continue and further improve their operations, assuring them of BFAR’s continued support to help boost salt production and enhance the competitiveness of the industry across the region.

The submission of entries for Galing Asinan 2026 is scheduled from January 5 to 15, 2026, with the official contest period beginning on January 16, 2026. Evaluation of participating salt farms will be conducted every second week of the month by the designated evaluation team. The awarding ceremony will be held on July 1, 2026, in line with the BFAR Anniversary Celebration.

The competition is open to family-run salt farms with a minimum production area of 2,500 square meters, operated by at least three families using a black charol liner. Participating families must have at least one FishR-registered member, submit birth certificates as proof of family involvement, and secure an official endorsement from the LGU, validated by the Provincial Fisheries Office of (PFO) Misamis Oriental.

Through Galing Asinan 2026, BFAR continues to promote excellence, sustainability, and family engagement in salt farming, reinforcing its commitment to developing the local salt industry and improving the livelihoods of salt farmers in Alubijid and beyond.