The National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region (NNC-NCR) of the Department of Health, together with UNICEF, held a Multi-sectoral ASIN Forum on March 27, 2015 at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila.
The forum was held to discuss measures to ensure the supply and distribution of only adequately iodized salt within Metro Manila and to establish a level of coordination between relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations and local government units to monitor the salt supply at the regional, city and municipal levels through the organization of a Bantay Asin Task Force that will support the program initiatives under the National Salt Iodization Program in the effective implementation of the ASIN Law.
Republic Act No. 8172 or most commonly known as “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for Related Purposes”, or commonly called “ASIN Law” is a major step to end the silent but tremendous nutritional problem called Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) through the cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization. It requires all salt manufacturers in the country to iodize the salts they produce, manufacture, import, trade and distribute.
All LGUs were well represented during the forum, except for Taguig City. Nutritionist-Dietitians and Sanitary Inspector Officers of the 16 LGUs, together with representatives from seven (7) government agencies who are members of the Regional Technical Working Group for the Salt Iodization Program (RTWG-SIP), pledged their commitment to support the full implementation of ASIN Law in the region. RTWG-SIP member agencies present during the forum were as follows: DOH-NCRO, PNP-NCRO, DepEd-NCR, DOST-NCR, DILG-NCR, PIA-NCR and DSWD-NCR. Also present during the forum are media partners from Manila Bulletin and Philippine News Agency.
According to the 8th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2013, the prevalence of IDD among school-aged children in Metro Manila 6-12 years old continuously declined from 13.8% in 2008 to 8.9% in 2013. The median urinary iodine excretion (UIE) levels among this age group has also increased from 202 µg/L in 2008 to 220 µg/L in 2013 indicating more than adequate iodine status. Iodine levels among school-aged children may have improved but campaign on salt iodization in the region still needs to be intensified to continually eradicate iodine deficiency disorder.
Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo discussed the Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) Problem and the Awareness and Usage of Iodized Salt in the region based on the 8th NNS results. The ASIN Law and the Salt Iodization Program in the Philippines was discussed by Ms. Ma. Lourdes A. Vega, Chief of the Nutrition Policy and Planning Division of the National Nutrition Council while the Status of Salt Iodization Program in NCR was discussed by Ms. Isabel Balagtas from the Department of Health-NCRO. Mr. Michael Palma of UNICEF and Mr. Edward Otico of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) facilitated the plenary discussion in the analysis of distribution channels and supply of salt in the region and identified possible solutions to strengthen the implementation of the ASIN Law in NCR.
NPC Federizo expressed optimism that the forum will pave way to the strengthening of the Salt Iodization Program in the region and lead to the establishment of an effective coordinating mechanism for the SIP through the regional and local Bantay Asin Task Forces. Hence, all LGUs are encouraged to organize or revitalize their Local Bantay Asin Task Force. “The gains in improving the iodine status of school-aged children in the region should be sustained through the collective efforts of various sectors and stakeholders. We should all work together to eliminate iodine deficiency disorder by pushing for strict compliance with the ASIN Law and ensuring that all households use adequately-iodized salt”, NPC Federizo added. (TAR/MEVF/NNCNCR)
