ASIN Center: Salt Innovation for a Better Future

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang together with DOST 1 Regional Director, Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog, and PSTO-Pangasinan Provincial Director, Engr. Arnold C. Santos visited the Accelerating Salt Research and Innovation (ASIN) Center on December 11, 2024, at PSU Binmaley Campus, Binmaley, Pangasinan.

ASIN Center was established under the DOST- Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) Program. It is a center that focuses on developing new and innovative salt production methods, improving existing processes, and identifying new markets for salt.

Dr. Elbert M. Galas, President of Pangasinan State University (PSU) expressed his gratitude to the DOST and all partner agencies and SUCs. Dr. Galas said that it is just right that the ASIN Center is being led by the PSU and established in Pangasinan since Pangasinan came from the root word “Panag-asinan” which means “where salt is made.” Dr. Galas said that the ASIN center will revitalize the dying salt industry in the country.

Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog, Regional Director of DOST 1 introduced the ASIN Center and updates on the OneASIN Program being led by the agency. “With all the efforts, and technologies being deployed in the salt industry in the region, we are actually giving hopes to increase the salt production in the country which will benefit the entire value chain,” Dr. Tabaog added.

Usec. Mabborang congratulated PSU for leading the ASIN Center. He said that the efforts and advancements in the salt industry will provide end-to-end solutions and bright paths. He said that one of DOST’s many things that are doing is to capacitate SUCs and provide facilities that will benefit students, faculties, and the country.

Usec. Mabborang also commended PSU for its commitment and accomplishment. “Marami na po kayong nagawa but we need to accelerate things with your excellent pool of experts, not for us, not for you, but for the community,” he challenged.

Present in the activity are the partner universities from DMMMSU, MMSU, PRMSU, representatives of the ASIN Center Steering Committee, BFAR, DENR, TESDA, DTI, DOST, and Provincial Government of Pangasinan, and DOST-PCIEERD.

DOST will continue to provide solutions, and open opportunities through science, technology, and innovation. (𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘗. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘻 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘗. 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢)