City of San Fernando, La Union –More than One Thousand Five Hundred (1,500) public school teachers and DepEd health personnel from all over Region I attended the successfully concluded Online Salt Iodization Forum organized by the National Nutrition Council Region 1 and DOH- Center for Health Development 1 in partnership with the Department of Education Region 1 held on March 16, 2021 via zoom and facebook live.

Dir. Tolentino G. Aquino, Regional Director of the Department of Education and an active member of the Regional Bantay ASIN Task Force (RBATF)-1 graced and opened the forum expressing his appreciation to the organizers and attendees.

“Alam naman natin na noon pang 1995 ay mayroon nang batas na isinulong ang ating dating pangulong Fidel V. Ramos na nagpapakita at naglalahad sa atin ng kahalagahan ng asin (na may sapat na iodine) para ma-maintain ang ating nutrisyon. The Department of Health (NNC) also have issued the 10 Kumainments and we believe that the importance of Kumainment No. 7 ay mahalaga lalo na sa Department of Education na ipabatid ang kahalagahan nito sa ating kalusugan hindi lang sa mga kabataan kundi para maeducate na din ang mga  parents na may karamdaman at ang mga maiiwasang sakit pag mayroon tayong sapat na iodine sa ating katawan … And we are hoping that our teachers will be able to share their learnings kahit tayo ay nasa distance learning modality ngayon,” he added.

The following presentations then followed to highlight the said half-day forum:  the Must- Knows on COVID-19 Vaccine by Dr. Magnolia Brabante of DOH-CHD 1; Roles of DepEd in the Implementation of Salt Iodization Program in Region 1 by Ms. Maricris Rimas DepEd’s Nutritionist-Dietitian; Overview of RA 8172 (ASIN Law) and Status of Salt Iodization Program in Region 1 by Mr. Kendall Gatan of NNC and the health benefits of iodine by Ms. Jovita Leny Calaguas, CHD1’s Nutritionist-Dietitian.

The attendees then actively participated during the open forum with the resource speakers as panelists with special participation of Mr. Jeffrey Gamboa of the Food and Drug Administration Region I.

Afterwards, Mr. David Zaragoza of DOH-CHD 1 presented the call to action and facilitated the online pledge of commitment among the participants to conclude the activity.

Dir. Ronald B. Castillo, Assistant Regional Director of DEPED Region 1 in his closing remarks conveyed his appreciation to all the facilitators and participants and said that there is really a need to address other health concerns which includes Iodine Deficiency Disorders other than COVID-19 due to its lifetime impact on poverty and in the performance of the learners.

He then enjoined all DEPED personnel to actively participate in the implementation of the ASIN Law not only to deliver quality and efficient basic education services but to improve health and well-being of their students.

The Online Forum on Salt Iodization Program was a great venue and opportunity in reaching the community through the public school teachers and other concerned stakeholders in promoting the importance and benefits of iodized salt to contribute in addressing Iodine Deficiency Disorders. /JMP