Cebu City -Philippine Ports Authority was voted as the new chair of the Bantay ASIN Task Force 7 last 03 May 2013 during the Stakeholder’s Forum on Salt Iodization Program held at the Cebu Grand Hotel, Cebu City.
The Bantay ASIN Task Force 7 was created in response to Republic Act No. 8172 also known as An Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN) and for Related Purposes” or commonly called “ASIN Law” which was signed on 20 December 1995. RA 8172 mandates the iodization of all salt for human and animal consumption. As part of its implementation, intensive educational and media campaigns are to be carried out to promote behavioral change towards the daily use of iodized salt and the building of partnerships between the government, non-government organizations, salt industry and media to support the National Salt Iodization Program (NSIP) of the country.
Co-chaired by DOH – FDA 7, the Bantay ASIN Task Force 7 is composed of government agencies in the region including DOH, DOST, DTI, DA, NEDA, POPCOM, DSWD, DOLE, DOH-FDA, DENR – Environmental Management Bureau, Bureau of Customs, Phil. Ports Authority, PNP-Police Regional Office 7, DTI - Bureau of Investments and DOF - Cooperative Development Authority; Salt Industry Players (Artemis Salt Corporation, Salinas Foods, Inc., Geltech Hayco and Arvin International Marketing), Non-Government Organizations (Phil. Association of Nutrition, Nutritionist-Dietitians Association of the Phil. Feed the Children, Phil. and Nutrition Center of the Philippines), and the Academe (University of San Carlos-Home Technology Department).
To improve iodine status through improved supply and use adequately iodized salt in the region, the Regional Bantay ASIN Task Force will be implementing the comprehensive and integrated strategic plan formulated by the National Salt Iodization Program (NSIP) - Technical Working Group.
With the presence of many ports in Central Visayas, the Regional Bantay ASIN Task Force 7 would have a key role to play esp. in monitoring of transhipment of salt and implementing RA 8172 and the Salt Iodization Program in the region.
//Norre Jean V. Delos Santos, CTU DevCom Intern
