TUGUEGARAO CITY--------With the continuous strict monitoring of salt entry in the region, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya and Santa Praxedes, Cagayan Municipal Bantay Asin Task Force (MBATF) recorded no violation during the month of January-February 2021.

Manning the checkpoint 24/7 in Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Mr. Orlando Pichay, was very happy but intrigued with the sudden decline of inadequately iodized salt reported in their area.

“We are very happy with the no violation report recorded this first month of 2021 however, we are also studying the reason why we have a decline in the entry of salt in our checkpoint. We will be reaching out with DA-Nagtipunan if there were salt shipments passing in their area,” as we asked how he felt with the no violation report.

“We are very thankful for the unending support of LGU Santa Fe and NNC Region 02 for the provision of manpower, technical assistance and PPEs to our checkpoint officers on duty,” he added.

This year, based on the latest monitoring visit, the MBATF Santa Fe recorded a total of 26,326 kgs of adequately iodized salt and all of these shipments are from Pangasinan Province.

On the other hand, the MBATF Sta. Praxedes, continues to report no salt entry in their area as Ilocos Region is very strict in the observance of COVID-19 protocols particularly among shippers and traders.

Ms. Maria Gisela Lonzaga, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, lauded the effort of the MBATF Checkpoints for continuous reporting and strict implementation of ASIN law in the region amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“I am very happy with the stricter and continuous monitoring of both of our checkpoints with observance of minimum health protocols for their safety and the shippers’ safety also,” NPC Lonzaga said.

RBATF 02 is positive and inspired to continuously support both of the checkpoints as they are committed in ensuring that only adequately iodized salt will be entering the region. ###JNLB