20 February 2023, Cagayan de Oro City – The City of Iligan envisioned that all Iliganons live in optimum health through good nutrition in all stages of life. The city through the leadership of Mayor Frederick W. Siao is dedicated to improving the city’s nutrition situation. The City Government of Iligan issued two (2) local policies to scale-up the health and nutrition actions. Last 9 February 2023, City Mayor Siao signed the following:
- Executive Order No. 8, s2023 entitled “Organizing the City Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)/Breastfeeding (BF) Task Force”
- Administrative Order No. 17, s2023 entitled “Creation of Bantay Asin Task Force in Iligan City”
The organization of the City IYCF/BF Task Force aims to strengthen the promotion, protection, and support of exclusive breastfeeding and adequate and appropriate complementary feeding in the city. This is to also strengthen Republic Act 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act and Executive Order 51, or the Milk Code of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, City Bantay Asin Task Force (CBATF) was created to intensify the campaign on the usage of adequately iodized salt. The 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey reported that 53.1% or 5 in every 10 households in Iligan City use adequately iodized salt. The main function of the task force is to enforce the promotion and monitor compliance with the Republic Act No. 8172 or ASIN Law at the local level.
The composition and functions of both task forces were stipulated in the orders. The chairperson of the City IYCF/BF Task Force and CBATF are Dr. Glenn L. Manarpaac, Acting City Health Officer and Mayor Siao, respectively.
With the passage of the two (2) orders, the City Government of Iligan plans to leverage the partnership with stakeholders for sustainable nutrition program, thereby, eradicating all existing forms of malnutrition. (Development Management Officer II Arlie Joy O. Damiles / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 09631090198)
