News Update Local traders join implementation of gov't salt iodization program

TACLOBAN CITY - The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (BATF) composed mostly of representatives from government agencies, has asked for the assistance of the local salt traders in improving the implementation of the salt iodization program. With the backing of the Global Alliance for Nutrition (GAIN), a public-private partnership is now underway. This developed following the successful conduct of the first meeting between the two groups last month at the Hotel Alejandro, where the salt traders of this city reacted positively to help in the government efforts to attain standard iodine content in table salt marketed throughout the Eastern Visayas region. Thus, another round of meeting between the two groups is scheduled on November 3 where the BATF members will be trained on the use of the WYD Iodine Checker donated by GAIN, and will be used in monitoring of salt at ports. A survey showed that the iodine status of children and pregnant/lactating women in the region is below optimum. This may be because the salt being shipped to the region is said to be below the 20ppm (highest of 70ppm). At least 12 traders or their representatives attended the said meeting, among them include: Yaokasin Trading, A&J (Bright Marketing), Chin Hong Commercial, Fortune Merchandising, AMON Commercial, Asia Trading, Yapson Trading, Sam's Trading, and Cocomart. James Yap, proprietor-manager of Yapson Trading, voiced out in the said meeting that they (salt traders) thought all along that the salt they were getting here were of the right quality (FDA standard). He expressed his gratitude for the information saying that they (traders) are willing to cooperate with the government for the success of the salt iodization program in Region 8. The Regional Bantay Asin Task Force in Eastern Visayas, which is closely monitoring the salt shipments, is composed of representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Philippine Ports Authority, the National Nutrition Council, Department of Science and Technology. Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Information Agency, and the media.