Through the combined efforts of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) 10, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 10 with support from UNICEF, another round of Multi-sectoral Forum on “Saktong Iodine sa Asin” was held in Ozamiz City last September 18. Said forum is directed to further intensify the implementation of Republic Act 8172 otherwise known as the ASIN Law to heighten the awareness on the monitoring and ensuring the availability and use of only adequately iodized. Ozamiz City was identified as a target area for the forum being an entry point of salt supply in Misamis Occidental. Misamis Occidental is identified as one of the provinces with mild iodine deficiency among 6-12 year old children in the region.
Honorable Octavio O. Parojinog, Jr., SB Member Committee on Health of Ozamiz City, in his message said “consumption of adequate amount of ‘Iodine’ is very important among pregnant women and in the prevention of malnutrition among children.” Recognizing the importance of Iodine in the diet, an executive order will soon be issued by Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog to formally organize their city’s Bantay Asin Task Force.
NPC Marissa DM. Navales underscored that iodine is an essential element for a person to have a proper thyroid function and correct growth and development of the brain. She also explained the dangers of the lack of iodine or iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) which results in a variety of abnormalities, such as goiter, miscarriage and stillbirth, as well as congenital anomalies, like deaf-mutism, squinted eyes, poor growth and mental retardation.
An iodine testing of the salt brought by the participants using the WYD Iodine Checker was executed by NNC X to determine whether salt sold in markets and used by establishments in Ozamiz City are adequately iodized. The new Sangkap Pinoy’s Saktong Iodine sa Asin Quality Seal for table salt to address iodine deficiency was introduced to the participants to guide them in purchasing only adequately iodized salt.
The forum was attended by barangay leaders and chairpersons of the Barangay Committee on Health from the city’s 51 barangays, as well as select members of the City Nutrition Committee and Nutrition Office staff, market administrators and members of the different vendors’ associations in the city. hge
