In its fight against iodine deficiency disorder, the Normin Bantay Asin Task Force held the second Forum on Saktong Iodine sa Asin this time among the local salt producers of El Salvador City. During the Forum, DOST X announced its plan to train salt producers of Misamis Oriental on salt production and iodization after the officers and members of the Sinaloc Salt Producers Association raised their concern over lack of capacity on salt iodization.

Engr. Junelyn B. Ruiz, DOST Provincial Director, disclosed that the training is already programmed by the DOST X this year as a result of a similar Forum held last year in Alubjid, Misamis Oriental. The Sinaloc Salt Producers Association will be joined by salt producers of Alubijid and Magsaysay,Misamis Oriental during the training.

During the El Salvador City Asin Forum, the City Social Welfare and Development Office also announced that they will make available a funding facility through a grant to the Sinaloc Salt Producers Association for the purchase or fabrication of a salt iodinating machine. The Cooperative Development Authority, on the other hand, is willing to provide assistance in organizing the Association into a Cooperative to enable them to access more funding support for additional capital (through DOLE X), installation of sea water pump, salt packaging, construction of storage area/warehouse (through DOST), among others. Barangay Sinaloc is also willing to provide an area where the storage area or warehouse can be constructed.

Ms. Julieta J. Bingona of Food and Drug Administration X stressed the importance of applying for license at FDA and assured that the salt producers will be assisted in their application for the Saktong Iodine sa Asin Quality Seal.

Lastly, the City Nutrition Committee and the RBATF will continuously collaborate in organizing the El Salvador City Bantay Asin Task Force to serve as the watchdog in ensuring the supply, distribution and consumption of ONLY adequately iodized salt. pcgd