TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN---------- Regional Bantay ASIN Task Force (RBATF) Region 02 halted and sent back to point of origin a total of 2,040 kgs of inadequately iodized salt in first quarter of 2021 in Santa Fe, Municipal Bantay Asin Checkpoint.

According to Mr. Orlando Pichay, Santa Fe Bantay Asin Team Leader, a total of 59,816 kgs of salt passed through the Bantay Asin Checkpoint for the first quarter of 2021. However, a total of 2,040kgs tested salt yielded inadequately iodized. The inadequately iodized salt came from Pangasinan to be delivered in Isabela Province, according to the presented documents upon inspection.

“We strictly monitor every shipment that passes through our checkpoint because we wanted to ensure that only adequately iodized salt enters our region” added by Mr. Pichay during the conduct of virtual monitoring of the Asin checkpoint.

Moreover, Mr. Pichay shared to the members the huge decreased of shipments that enter the Santa Fe Bantay Asin Checkpoint.

“Masyado pa rin kasing strikto ayon sa mga traders ang Pangasinan na nirerequire pa rin nila na dapat mag quarantine at may negative RT-PCR results ang mga shippers bago  papasukin sa Pangasinan,” shared by Mr. Pichay

On the other hand there is also a decreased of salt shipments in Santa Praxades,  Cagayan MBATF Checkpoint.

“Tatlong shipments lang po at pasado naman lahat sa required PPM ang ating mga natest,” shared by MNAO Ms. Aerphel Tauayan.

The same predicaments of shippers coming from Ilocos Norte are also experienced, that the province also requires them negative RT-PCR results which resulted to decline in the salt entry in the region.

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