Sagada town officials promote salt iodization to address iodine needs

By Juliet B. Saley

SAGADA, Mountain Province --The municipal government here under mayor Edward Latawan is promoting salt iodization to eliminate micronutrient malnutrition particularly iodine deficiency disorders in this tourist town.

The Municipal Code for Children provides strict implementation of the Republic Act 8172, or “An Act Promoting Salt Iodization  Nationwide”(ASIN) and Provincial Ordinance No. 12, “An Ordinance Implementing the Salt Iodization Province wide.”

               

The Municipal Nutrition Council was tasked to supervise implementation of the ASIN law.

               

Other sectors involved in the campaign on the use of iodized salt include the municipal health officer and rural health midwives.

               

They will conduct information campaign during consultations and mothers’ classes, to check use of iodized salt, and regularly monitor food establishments on the use of iodized salt.

               

The education sector was tasked to conduct teacher-child-parent approach on the importance of iodized salt, conduct quiz bees and contests in schools and advocate to parents during parents, teachers community meetings.

               

The social welfare sector will also  conduct information drives to parents of day care children while the agriculture sector will include lectures on the ASIN LAW during farmers classes and quiz shows.

               

The barangays will also assist other sectors in the campaign on the use of iodized salt.

               

Nongovernment organizations and civic organizations  were tapped  to produce information materials and join in the campaign on the use of iodized salt.

               

Business establishments like food outlets, groceries, restaurants and stores were also required to make available to customers only iodized salt in their establishments.

               

The barangays will also assist other sectors in the campaign on use of iodized salt.