The National Nutrition Council with UNICEF organized the National Conference of Regional BantayAsin Task Forcesheld January 22-23, 2015 at the Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The Regional BantayAsin Task Forces (RBATF) that was formed all-over the regions have significantly contributed to the supply of adequately-iodized salt by putting in place effective mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement of regulation. The conference aims to generate relevant and appropriate salt iodization initiatives adopted in the regions and lessons learned that may be replicated in regions with similar supply conditions and modalities of distribution. It also aims to generate inputs for stronger linkage and alignment of national and local initiatives.
The presentation and discussion during the two-day event highlighted the National Updates on Universal Salt Iodization Initiatives which Dr. Cecilia S. Acuin, Chief of FNRI-NAMD presented the 2013 NNS Disaggregated Data on UIE and Testing of Iodized Salt. Identified best practices of existing RBATF were also presented. Mayor Liwayway DC. Caramat of the Municipality of Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya shared their active involvement in Salt Checkpoint. She also shared their initiatives for improved program management, presence of internal and external support mechanism and strengthened income generating project (selling of iodized salt) of BNS Federation.Dr.Parolita A. Mission, NNC Regional Office VII NPC presented “Mainstreaming the Salt Iodization in Nutrition Programs” wherein their Regional Nutrition Committee is acting as their RBTF. She also shared how they mobilize partners.
The NNC Regional Office together with partners from DOH and FDA were requested to bring collected salt samples from public market and major supermarket. This was tested using the WYD Iodine Checker which was demonstrated by Ms. Annabelle V. Briones and Ms. Josie L. Pondevida from DOST-ITDI. Majority of the salt samples brought were low in iodine content. The required iodine content is 30-70 ppm for salt iodization for market and 15 ppm from household.
The National Conference of Regional BantayAsin Task Forces ended with a challenge to regions to revive and strengthen their RBATF in which NNC Caraga Regional Office is up for the challenge.#
