Among the most interesting treasures that make Batanes unique is their famous ‘Dibang’ or ‘Day -Old, Batanes Style Flying Fish’ that will surely give you the unique taste of ‘Home of the Winds’.
Photo Courtesy: PSTC Batanes/LGU Uyugan
To make this to-die-for local delicacy, salt is one of the important raw materials in the production of day-old dibang and salt production has become an indispensable activity in the local area. Because of this, intervention on the salt industry was identified to include iodization as specified in the ASIN Law [or the Republic Act No. 1872].
‘The crude salt produced before will be improved through ITDI technology. The production of salt based on ITDI kiln for fast crystallization and higher yield.’
Traditional way of producing salt. (Photo Courtesy: PSTC Batanes/LGU Uyugan)
The Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ITDI) developed the technology on salt evaporating setup and salt iodization that was introduced to the local entrepreneurs for adoption to ensure the success of the project.
The salt produced will not only benefit the fish processing industry in the island province but will help in reaching its goal of meeting the local demand.
Construction of the kiln crystallization bed was on its way last September, but due to typhoon Kiko and the presence of COVI-19 cases in the area, it was rescheduled.
“The salt production with our CEST will sustain the need of the Ivatans not necessarily relying on salt from the mainland. We all know that salt is a basic need and aside from that, food processing is increasing in the province, and one basic raw material for processing… is salt,” PSTC Batanes Provincial Director Nora Garcia said on a statement sent to DOST-STII’s NSTW team.
Garcia also reiterated that through this technology, it will help the local residents gain employment and engage in income generating activities.
Technology from ITDI (provided by Photo Courtesy: PSTC Batanes/LGU Uyugan)
In 2018, the municipality of Uyugan in Batanes became one of the beneficiaries under Community Empowerment through Science Technology (CEST), one of the flagship programs of the DOST. The project was implemented with the help of the Local Government Unit of Uyugan particularly the Municipal Agriculturist Office and the Uyugan Fish Processors Association, with P140,000.00 fund on its first phase.
It was on the second year when initial materials for their salt making were procured, with P200,000.00 fund and P840,000.00 was later awarded for the third phase.
Furthermore, to minimize the wastes produced during processing (e.g. fish heads, scales, liver, and innards), the group was also trained on how to process them into value products like fish sauce and paste.
Indeed, science and technology have a lot of surprises, where positive change happens where the locals of Batanes reap the economic benefits.
Want to know more about other success stories? Mark your calendars and join the whole science community on a one-week celebration of the National Science and Technology Week from 22-28 November 2021, that will happen virtually once again! There are more exciting activities and informative webinars to be held during this week that carries the theme, ‘’Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon’’.
For more information, visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph/. You can also check and follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://web.facebook.com/nstwdost to be more updated of the latest happenings in the world of science and technology. (By Rachel R. Perez, DOST-STII)
Photo Courtesy of PSTC Batanes/LGU Uyugan.
