Bauang, La Union – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spearheaded the first leg of the Rice Fortification Advocacy for Social Safety Net Programs last January 28, 2016 at the Marand Resort and Spa, Bauang, La Union which was attended by 65 participants including Provincial/City/Municipal Nutrition Action officers, District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators, partners from the Regional Line Agencies, representatives from Non-Government Organizations and partners from the media. The activity aims to develop a consensus work plan among public, private and non-government organizations for scaling up rice fortification in the Philippines.

Region 1 is among the six (6) regions in the country together with NCR, Regions III, IV-A, XI and XII with fortified kernel production and Iron Fortified Rice distribution.

Mr. Julius Ceasar Alejandre, Nutrition Officer II of the Nutrition Policy and Planning Division of NNC gave a brief overview of RA 8976 or the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 which mandates the rice fortification with iron to address the problem of anemia. He also presented the purpose of the event which is to advocate for the use of iron fortified rice to the National Government Agencies, Non-Government Organizations and Local Government Units for their social safety net programs.

Mr. Hector Maglalang, Project Consultant from UNICEF Philippines presented the Results of the Study on Rice Consumption for Social Safety Net Programs. It was recalled that NFA has stopped distributing iron fortified rice (IFR) since 2014 due to lack of funds and changes in leadership and management. Based on the study conclusions and recommendations, one of the proposed actions is, NFA to reestablish or revive its system of fortifying part of its rice at least for the DSWD and DepEd feeding programs.

A short workshop was also conducted to gather possible activities and strategies from the participants that would increase the production, distribution and consumption of iron fortified rice.

Under media, it was suggested that members of the media shall be responsible for the massive information dissemination on the importance and benefits of iron fortified rice and to encourage legislators to amend RA 8976 to include LGUs for its implementation and for NGOs and consumers to patronized the use/consumption of IFR. The government also shall intensify its campaign on the importance of Iron and shall allocate budget for the procurement of IFR and for LGUs to pass an ordinance in support to RA 8976.