Local government units in Metro Manila committed to intensify the implementation of the Salt Iodization Program (SIP) in the region by reactivating their Local Bantay Asin Task Forces (LBATFs). The reaffirmation of their commitment was done during the joint meeting of the Regional Technical Working Group on SIP (RTWG-SIP) and LBATFs held on April 24, 2019 at the NNC Boardroom, Taguig City.
The meeting was presided by the RTWG-SIP Vice Chair Ms. Milagros Elisa Federizo, NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, on behalf of RTWG-SIP Chair Regional Director of Metro Manila Center for Health Development Dr. Corazon Flores. It was attended by five (5) representatives from the member agencies of the RTWG-SIP namely MMDA, DSWD-NCR, NCRPO, PIA and Liga ng mga Barangay. Nutritionist-Dietitians and sanitary inspectors from the 14 LGUs except Manila, Las Piňas and Marikina were also present.
During the meeting, functionality of the LBATFs were assessed using the MELLPI Pro scores of the LGUs related to ASIN Law. The updated Monitoring and Evaluation framework and system, also known as the monitoring and evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Protocol or MELLPI Pro was developed for the nutrition sector covering the assessment of nationwide initiatives along policy and legislation, nutrition service delivery, and capacity-building. Included in the national laws and policies evaluation is the support of the LGUs to the Republic Act 8172 entitled “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide and for Related Purposes” more commonly known as the ASIN Law.
The ASIN Law requires all food outlets, restaurants, and stores to make available to consumers only iodized salt. In support of the ASIN Law, LGUs through their respective BATFs check and monitor if the food-grade salt being sold in their locality is iodized and has the Saktong Iodine sa Asin Quality Seal as an indication that the salt contains at least 30-70 ppm of iodine (mg/Kg).
Based on the results of the workshop, it was observed that in 2018, majority of the LBATFs were organized but not all were able to meet at least once last year. Most LBATFs have integrated their SIP plan in their respective local nutrition action plans. The LBATFs were commended for conducting regular promotional activities for iodized salt utilization. However, few LBATFs were able to use the iodine checker machine to monitor if salt being sold by retail stores are adequately iodized. In terms of submission of reports, majority of them were able to submit reports on their activities conducted related to ASIN law. From the results of the workshop, gaps on actions needed to be done by the LBATFs were identified and discussed. The LBATFs’ commitment to fill in these gaps were requested and agreed upon.
To intensify the SIP implementation in the region, the NNC-NCR requested Salinas Foods, Inc. to discuss how LGUs can procure their WYD iodine checker machines. LBATFs also agreed on the schedule of the use of the available four (4) units of iodine checker machine in the region provided by UNICEF. They also plan to intensify their promotion of iodized salt utilization among households and food establishments including school canteens.
Members of the RBATF monitoring team also committed to join the monitoring of salt warehouses on October 2019.
Through the combined efforts of the BATFs at the regional and local levels, NNC-NCR is optimistic that the SIP implementation will be further strengthened in Metro Manila.
(MABRM/TAR/NPC MEVF/NNC-NCR)
