19 July 2021, Davao City – The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force of Davao region convenes virtually for the 2nd RBATF XI meeting. The National Nutrition Council XI facilitated the conduct of the virtual meeting via Google meet.
The meeting agenda includes the presentation of results of the Food and Drug Administration XI’s Salt Collection for the year 2020 and 2021, the approved RNC Resolution No. 1 Series of 2021 “Organizing the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force in Davao Region”, and Regional Bantay Asin Task Force XI Plans and Activities for CY 2021 and 2022.
Ms. Loucene Caraoa, Food and Drug Regulation Officer II of FDA-RFO XI presented the results of FDA XI’s Salt Collection for CY 2020 and partial results of the salt samples collected for CY 2021. Based on the presented results out of 22 samples collected and submitted for laboratory testing in 2020, (15) salt samples passed and reached their specification for iodine content of salt which has a minimum of 30 mg/kg and (7) salt samples failed the Iodine Test. Meanwhile, as of this year out of 3 collected and tested samples, (2) salt samples passed and (1) failed, FDA XI’s salt sample collection is still on-going for this year. Ms. Caraoa indicated that FDA-RFO XI already took a regulatory action by issuing Report of Violation (ROV) to the concerned manufacturers/sources with failed results.
OIC- NO III Teo presented the RNC Resolution No. 1 series of 2021 “Organizing the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force in Davao Region” which was approved last March 25, 2021. She discussed the content of the resolution which highlights the members and composition of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force XI and its functions.
RNPC Dr. Ungson presented and discussed the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force XI Plans and Activities for CY 2021 and 2022. Among of the plans and activities for 2021 and 2022 are: 1) Conduct RBATF XI meetings, 2) Purchase of one (1) WYD Iodine Testing Kit and reagents for regional and local salt monitoring use, 3) Orientation to LGUs on the Salt Iodization Program Guidelines and checklist and use of WYD Iodine Testing Kit, 4) Issuance of RNC Resolution on the Creation of Local Bantay Asin Task Force, 5) Coordination with DILG XI for the formulation of memorandum circular to encourage LGUs to adopt the resolution on the organization of LBATF, 6) Conduct of Regional meetings with LGUs to evaluate their feedbacks on their Local Salt Monitoring Activities, 7) Site Monitoring and 8) Salt sample collection from stores, markets, groceries and salt retailers.
RNPC Ungson emphasized in her closing message the importance of the RBATF XI team in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Salt Iodization Program in the region, in order protect the population and prevent some of the diseases caused by iodine deficiency. “To keep a healthy population, all together we must fight” - RNPC Ungson said.
The meeting was attended by RBATF XI members and representatives from partner agencies, academes and NGAs.
Charlane Y. Jickain, NO II, NNC XI
