The City Government of Baguio and the Baguio City Nutrition Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BCN-MPC) inked an agreement to fully implement the Salt Iodization Project which will increase the production of iodized salt in this mountain resort city.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City Government of Baguio and the Baguio City Nutrition Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BCN-MPC) will set in motion the full implementation of the Salt Iodization Project which will increase the production of iodized salt in the city.
With the new agreement, the city will now produce its own iodized salt for the residents.
At present, Angelita Sabado, BCN-MPC vice chairperson said the salt iodization plant has temporarily stopped operating and iodized salts being distributed to the barangays are bought from an outside source.
The MOA will allow BCN-MPC to use the second floor of the City Health Services Office (CHSO) Annex Building for the operation of the salt iodization plant which was established in 1995.
With the new agreement, the Bantay Asin Task Force formerly the Baguio Salt Iodization Monitoring Team will be activated again to implement the city ordinance and the national Asin law.
But the MOA has yet to be confirmed by the Baguio City Council pending its amendment by the city council’s Committee on Laws, Human Rights, and Justice chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda.
The BCN-MPC is a non-government organization established to manage the Salt Iodization Project of the United Nations International Children’s Economic Fund (UNICEF), the Department of Health (DOH), and the city government. Its membership is composed of the employees of the City Health Services Office (CHSO), the volunteer health and nutrition workers, and the members of the city nutrition committee.
Republic Act No. 8172 or the “Asin Law” is the requirement of the addition of iodine to salt intended for the animal and human consumption in order to eliminate micronutrient malnutrition in the country. The Act was formulated to contribute in the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition, particularly the iodine deficiency disorders in the country.
It can be recalled that in 2002, the city council passed an ordinance requiring the use of iodized salt in the city and localizing the provisions of RA 8172. (Joseph Manzano)