The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force of Northern Mindanao was able to implement critical initiatives supporting the ASIN Law and the “Saktong Iodine sa Asin” campaign in barely a year of being re-activated.

RBATF X was recognized by RDC X through Resolution No. 22 S. 2015 and calls for the organization of such structure at the local level (subsumed under the Local Nutrition Committees).  Two Local Bantay Asin Task Forces were organized through executive orders – Misamis Occidental responding to its mild iodine deficiency disorder situation and Ozamiz City as the main entry point and center of salt supply and trading in the province.

Multi-sectoral fora were conducted all over the region for a heightened awareness on “Saktong Iodine sa Asin”.  One of the most successful is the Alubijid, Misamis Oriental Local Salt Producers Forum that resulted to a unified effort among its 47 local salt producers to combat iodine deficiency.  A region-wide media campaign was initiated and intensified through the development and airing of radio plugs, radio and TV guestings, development and dissemination/display of IEC materials, publication of advertorials and conduct of press briefings and conferences.

The more than 20 salt testings done by RBATF X using the WYD Iodine Checker machine donated by UNICEF further confirm the low iodine content of salt in Northern Mindanao (lowest is -2.1 ppm against the 15 ppm standards).  Regular salt monitoring, intensified public information drive and continued support to local salt producers will be undertaken by the Task Force in 2016 to ensure the supply, distribution and consumption of ONLY adequately iodized salt in the region.

The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force is chaired by DOH X with the Food and Drug Administration as a major actor. mdmn