Skip to main content

Scientists urge Ilocos Norte to produce iron-fortified rice




By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—How much does it take to localize the production of iron fortified rice?

For just an additional two pesos per kilo of ordinary rice, one can blend its own iron-fortified kernel which is essential for proper growth and development of the human body often lacking in diet especially among infants, children, and women at reproductive age.

In a techno forum held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here on June 25, 2018, the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Ilocos Norte in cooperation with Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation urged local government units and other stakeholders here to locally produce iron-fortified rice and help eradicate cases of malnutrition in the province.

Racky Doctor, Nutridense Manufacturing Corporation president said the company is looking for partners here to spread the production and consumption of iron-fortified rice.

Nutridense Manufacturing Corp. base is in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan

In support of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Doctor said the iron fortification program can also create employment as it puts more value to ordinary rice harvest.

In an interview, DOST provincial director Jonathan Viernes said Ilocos Norte residents can take advantage of it.

Under the Food Fortification Law, it stipulates the mandatory fortification of staples like rice with iron and voluntary fortification of processed foods with iron, Vitamin A and or iodine.

Rice fortification with iron started in 2004 but its adoption has been slow.

With improved technology, Mr. Viernes expressed optimism local government units and other government agencies and private stakeholders will support this move and make a great difference in combatting micronutrients deficiency in the country.

The provincial nutrition action officers, municipal social welfare and development officers and municipal nutrition action officers of the different municipalities in the province participated in the forum.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

 Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said.    Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel more secured

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd  of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy.   18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi