TUGUEGARAO CITY— Municipal Bantay Asin Task Force (MBATF)- Sta Praxedes, Cagayan ceased and sent back to origin 5, 520 kgs of uniodized salt on 14 February 2020 through its strengthened Bantay Asin Checkpoint situated in Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan.

According to PNP Officer Regardy Pascual, MBATF- Checkpoint Officer, the shipper, Ms. Aurora Castro originally from Lasol, Pangasinan, insisted to enter Cagayan Province with a truck of declared rock salt which she stated that will only be used for bagoong production in the municipality of Claveria, Cagayan. However, Officer Pascual explained to the shipper that all volume of salt entering Cagayan Valley are required to be tested using the WYD Iodine Checker to verify its iodine content.

With the assistance of Ms. Aerphel Tauayan, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) and MBATF- Member, took sample of salts to be tested using the WYD Iodine checker and it recorded a 4.2 ppm iodine content which is way below the prescribed 30ppm iodine content.

After the incident, MNAO Tauayan informed the shipper that they are not allowed to enter the Cagayan Province unless the salt is adequately iodized. “Kahit po yung mga asin na gagamitin po sa inumin ng ating mga alagang baka ay kailangang iodized salt lalo na po yang gagamitin sa pag gawa ng bagoong na tao ang kakain,” she also explained.

After proper documentation, the shipper was advised to send back their salt to its origin and should be properly iodized as per RA 8172 or ASIN law and will be allowed to enter Cagayan Province.

Lastly, RBATF R02 will continue its strict implementation of RA 8172 or ASIN Law and will strive to find solutions and alternatives in order to eliminate the entry of inadequately iodized salt in the region.### (JNLB)