28 October 2020-- The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) successfully launches the Iron-Fortified Rice Production here at San Pablo Multi-Purpose Cooperative Rice Mill and Warehouse, Bet-ang, Balaoan, La Union.
This is the realization of the Provincial Ordinance No. 118-2017 entitled “An Ordinance Providing Mechanisms for the Production, Distribution and Use of Iron-Fortified Rice (IFR) in the Province of La Union otherwise known as La Union Iron-Fortified Rice ordinance of 2017.”
La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” Ortega III virtually graced the activity and congratulated the people and the provincial I-Rice Task Force (PTF) for the successful conduct of the launching.
“This ordinance was enacted to provide access by the people of La Union to this I-Rice to help improved their nutritional well-being and produced will be used in all government programs in the province,” he said.
Dr. Eduardo Posadas, Provincial Health Officer II of La Union pushed for the full implementation of the ordinance and commend the San Pablo MPC for its commitment as producer of I-Rice in the province to help address micronutrient malnutrition particularly Iron Deficiency Anemia .
The following members of the PTF also witnessed the activity: SPM Geraldine R. Ortega of La Union, Mayor Aleli U. Concepcion of Balaoan, Mr. Kendall Gatan of NNC Region 1, Ms. Jovita Leny Calaguas of DOH Region 1, PD Virgilio P. Sison of the DILG La Union, PD Jonathan Viernes of DOST La Union, MLGOO Olivia Mae De Guzman of Balaoan, and other heads of the provincial offices of La Union.
SPM Ortega and Mayor Conception led the ceremonial turn-over of IRice to the invited pregnant women of Balaoan, La Union.
DOST La Union also spearheaded the demonstration in processing Iron-Fortified Rice.
This project will further improve access of the people of Region I to IFR in addition to one of the pioneers of IFR production in Pangasinan, Nutri-Dense Food Corporation.
IFR Ordinance mandates all Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies, and other government agencies to use La Union Iron Fortified Rice in activities such as feeding programs, disaster risk operations, public school canteens, government-owned hospitals, rehabilitation centers, meeting and conferences. Protecting and promoting the sustained health and nutrition in the province are the main goals of the said ordinance.
IFR is the mixture of well-milled rice with iron fortificant to help improve the dietary intake of Filipinos to attain their iron requirements.
This complies to Republic Act 8976 which calls for the mandatory fortification of staples such as rice, flour, cooking oil and refined sugar. This law also encourages manufacturers of processed foods to fortify their products under the voluntary system or the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program. CPF/KPAG
