26 October 2022, Cagayan de Oro City – Last 11 October 2022, the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) X convened to conduct the second semester meeting held at De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. It was presided over by Regional Supervisor Merla K. Araña of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and attended by 21 task force members.
The first agenda tackled was the presentation of the proposed RBATF X logo by Development Management Officer (DMO) II Arlie Joy O. Damiles, which was one of the agreements during the previous meeting. The logo contains elements signifying the mandate of the task force which is to promote and protect Republic Act No. 8172 or ASIN Law. The members provided inputs to enhance the logo, and will be presented or shared to them once revised for approval before the year ends.
The result of the 2022 first and second monitoring results were also presented by DMO II Damiles. She highlighted the number of stores/retailers compliant with the FDA iodine requirement of 30-70 parts per million (ppm). The local salt distributors were advised to include in their packaging the instructions on the proper storage/handling of iodized salt and to increase the salt iodization level of the produced salt to ensure that at least 15 ppm of iodine content reaches the household level. Further, the task force reminded the local government units (LGUs) to strengthen salt iodization campaign down to the barangay level and revisit previously monitored stores selling iodized salt with below 30 ppm of Iodine.
During the meeting, Program Implementation Review (PIR) was also conducted to assess the 2019-2022 RBATF Strategic Plan. The assessment of activities was done by RBATF X technical working groups created namely: (1) Technical Assistance TWG; (2) Regulation and Monitoring TWG; and (3) Promotion and Advocacy TWG.
Each group also identified the implementation challenges encountered including the problems of local salt producers in sustaining their production; and provided recommendations. The RBATF X proposed to explore the possibility of using mechanical dryer and tap Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) for assistance on the drying mechanism for local salt farms.
Another concern raised was the perishable iodate solutions which expire after 6 months from the manufacturing date. There are no local suppliers to date selling iodate solutions in the region. NNC X and some LGUs procured solutions from Manila and it will take more than one (1) week to arrive. To facilitate timely salt monitoring and testing, the group recommended to explore and coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) to provide the said solution. Likewise, regional training on how to use the WYD Iodine Checker Machine for health and nutrition personnel will be requested to DOST-ITDI.
To strengthen the program implementation in Northern Mindanao, RBATF X recommended for the issuance of resolution by the Regional Nutrition Committee enjoining the LGUs to create Local Bantay Asin Task Force and to strictly implement RA 8172, and to elevate it to Regional Development Council (RDC) X.
The task force also planned to conduct technical assistance to Baybay-Loguilo Rural Workers Association (BLRWA), a local salt producer in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, to convert from an association to a cooperative. This is to ensure that BLRWA members’ needs are met and to equally provide opportunities to each member. Also, the provision of training on management and technology was identified as one of the capacity development activities for local salt producers.
Based on the 2018 National Nutrition Survey, Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) still exists in the region. Thus, the members of the RBATF X renewed their commitment in strengthening and intensifying the reinforcement to RA 8172 to achieve universal salt iodization, thereby, ensuring that all household has access to and consume adequately iodized salt. (Development Management Officer II Arlie Joy O. Damiles / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 09631090198)
