Regional Bantay ASIN Task Force (RBATF) Region 02 halted and sent back to source origin a total of 3, 527kgs of inadequately iodized salt during the Community Quarantine due to COVID-19 in Sta. Praxedes Municipal Bantay Asin Checkpoint.
According to Ms. Aerphel Tauyan, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, a total of 16, 717kgs passed through the Bantay Asin Checkpoint during the quarantine period. However, a total of 3, 527kgs were tested inadequately iodized. This salt came from Ilocos region to be delivered in Claveria, Cagayan. However, upon inspection it yielded below the 30 ppm minimum required iodine content.
“Despite po kasi na kasama sa allowed food commodities ang asin we ensure po through testing protocols na adequately iodized salt pa rin po ang pumapasok sa ating rehiyon,” added by MNAO Tauyan during the conduct of virtual monitoring of the asin checkpoint.
Moreover, PCapt Arnold Bulaqui, Chief of Police-Sta Praxedes, relayed to us that the sacks of uniodized salt were hidden below the mixed vegetables in container vans used to transport food items. “Tinatago po ng mga traders sa ilalim ng mga gulay. Upon checking po nakita natin may mga asin kaya sinubject for inspection at yong lumabas na below 30ppm po ito, advised namin to send back to origin po,” he emphasized.
After the inspection, the PNP ensured to make blotters and incident reports of the said inspection to have proper documentation of the activity.
On the other hand, Mr. Orlando Pichay during the virtual monitoring narrated that the Santa Fe Municipal Bantay Asin Checkpoint recorded 34 shipments during this quarantine period with a total of 88, 740 kgs of salt entered the Cagayan Valley region.
“Mas pinapaigting namin ang pagmomonitor dito sa checkpoint lalo ngayong may pandemic dahil baka ginagawing advantage ito ng ibang traders. Fortunately, we have not recorded any inadequately iodized salt during our monitoring,” Mr. Pichay cheerfully shared to NNC R02.
Lastly, NNC R02 ensured the safety of checkpoint personnel by providing alcohol and disposable face masks to frontline officers. Office supplies and adequate solution A and B for continuous monitoring even during the COVID-19 pandemic were also provided to the asin checkpoints. ###JNLB
