The 47 local salt producers of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental pledged commitment to unify their efforts in ensuring compliance to the ASIN Law and support the Saktong Iodine sa Asin Campaign.  This was one of the agreements resulting from the conduct of the Alubijid Local Salt Producers Forum on Saktong Iodine sa Asin conducted by the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force of Northern Mindanao.

To address the issue of salt iodization, a proposal in the form of livelihood assistance for the acquisition of a salt iodinating machine was prepared by the local salt producers with assistance from the Municipal Nutrition Committee and will soon be submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment Region X.   

The forum held last November 4, also served as venue for the RBATF and local salt producers to openly discuss and resolve issues and concerns on the low level of awareness and compliance among the town’s salt producers to the ASIN Law or Republic Act 8172. Present during the Forum were representatives of RBATF X member agencies from DOH, DOLE, DILG, PIA, NEDA, PNP and NNC. Also present as resource persons were Julius Cesar P. Alejandre of the Nutrition Policy and Planning Division of National Nutrition Council National Office and Mr. Alexander Michael Palma, Nutrition Specialist of Unicef Philippines.

Alubijid Mayor Giovanni Labis, Chairperson of the Municipal Nutrition Committee, in his speech underscored the relevance of the LGU’s role in continuously providing technical assistance and strengthening partnership with the local salt producers to ensure that the salt they produce are adequately iodized. Alubijid will soon be organizing its Local Bantay Asin Task Force to serve as the watchdog in ensuring the production and utilization of adequately iodized salt within and outside the municipality.

The RBATF of Northern Mindanao is currently hammering out efforts for a widened and heightened awareness on the use of adequately iodized salt. srdc & hge