The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force of Region X agreed to act as the watchdog and the first defence that will ensure only adequately iodized saltreaches the households in Region X. This was one of the major agreements in a Forum with the theme Saktong Iodine sa Asin held on March 12, 2015 at the VIP Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City conducted in partnership with the Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council of Region X with support from UNICEF.
DOH Regional Director Aristides Concepcion Tan, also the Chairperson of the Bantay Asin Task Force cited in dismay that after 20 years of implementing RA 8172 or the ASIN Law, iodized salt utilization remained at 46%. It was also reported that the Provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental are among the areas with mild iodine deficiency disorder.
The Forum was attended by the members of the Region X Bantay Asin Task Force led by the Food and Drug Regulations Officers of DOH, the Philippine National Police, Maritime Police, Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Information Agency among others. Also in attendance were the salt producers and traders in Region X, the Provincial and Rural Sanitary Inspectors, Nutrition Action Officers of selected Local Government Units and the media partners from MANGO DIEZ or the Media Advocates for Nutrition in Governance of Region 10.
DILG X Regional Director and Vice-Chairperson of the Regional Nutrition Committee Atty. Rene K. Burdeos reminded the RBATF members to work as a team and harness each other’s core competencies. Mr. Alexander Michael Palma, Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF acted as facilitator during the plenary discussion on the salt supply and trading in Region 10.
Outputs of the Forum included recommendations and action points along policy formulation, advocacy on advocacy for SAKTONG IODINE SA ASIN and coordination and monitoring of the supply of iodized salt. Misamis Occidental committed to organize their Provincial Bantay Asin Task Force to curb the high prevalence of iodine deficiency disorder in the province. hga
