Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4939

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
Ron P. Salo and Virgilio S. Lacson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 1995, Republic Act No. 1072, shortly known as “An Act for Salt lodization
Nationwide (ASIN)" was enacted, providing for mandatory iodization of food-grade
salt for human and animal consumption. It also mandated the use of iodized salt in
processing of foods and in food establishments.

The law aimed to contribute to the elimination of iron deficiency, which was
found to be a leading cause of preventable brain damage and reduced IQ among
children worldwide. lodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) during pregnancy may also
result in stillbirth, miscarriage, and congenital abnormalities such as cretinism. lodine
plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the thyroid and in the growth and
development of the brain.

The law was enacted consistent with the World Health Organization's
recommendations that universal salt iodization is the principal public health measure
to combat IDD. Universal Salt lodization, the fortification of iodine in all salt, was
launched in 1993, through the joint efforts of WHO, UNICEF, salt producers,
governments, the International Council for the Control of lodine Deficiency Disorders
(ICCIDD), the World Bank, and advocates from around the world.

More than twenty years after its implementation, several issues have arisen
‘on some of the provisions of the law as well as its implementation, necessitating its
review and consequent amendment.

The Philippines being a coastal country, a significant number of small-scale
salt producers have been adversely affected by the implementation of the law. The
Department of Trade and Industry has pointed out that the local salt industry is

finding it hard to compete with the global market of salt and food products with salt
“due to the restriction for salt producers to offer a wide array of different salt types

Nn in the domestic market.” ASIN Law is also seen to limit innovations on the type
that will fit the needs of a product, as well as leads to the loss of some

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nutrients during processing. With this, smalll local salt farmers are unable to compete
with large salt producers especially in the global market.

This proposed amendment seeks to exempt sea salt from mandatory
iodization. Notwithstanding the Philippines’ richness in all-natural sea salt, the law
has effectively discouraged the sale of natural sea salt, thereby inhibiting the
development of local sea salt farming. Sea salt, which is produced by the process of
evaporation of salt water bodies, undergoes very little processing and retains
moisture and mineral treasure, including vital minerals such as sodium, potassium,
calcium, magnesium, bromide, chloride, iron, copper, and zinc, among others.
Studies have shown benefits of sea salt in maintaining balanced levels of blood
sugar and blood pressure, treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, skin and dental care,
and other health benefits.

While reiterating the importance of food fortification and salt iodization as
necessary measures to combat nutrition deficiencies, especially for the segments of
the population prone to iodine deficiency, this should not place a burden on small
producers with the effect of stifling their growth and development.

Philippine salt industry is fast shrinking. Due to lack of government support
and failure to compete with large-scale producers and salt importers, as well as
occasional harassment from law enforcers in the guise of checking compliance with
the iodization requirement, many salt farms started closing one after the other, and
hundreds of families dependent on the salt industry lost their sole source of income.

Heavy importation of salt has also taken its toll on local producers. From
being largely a self-sufficient salt producer in the 1990's, with more than 70% of the
annual national salt requirement coming from Bulacan, Pangasinan, Mindoro, Cavite,
Parafiaque, and other areas, we have become reliant on imported salt. By 2009, we
were already importing almost 70% of our annual national salt requirement from
Australia alone. From supplying 33% of the nation’s salt needs, Bulacan's share
declined to only 1%. As early as 2003, of the 52 salt farms in Bulacan, 32 have
closed. Some salt farmers, such as those in Pangasinan, Mindoro and other coastal
areas, are struggling to keep their business.

This proposed measure aims, on the one hand, to promote salt iodization as
an effective strategy for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders,
while at the same time ensuring that small-scale and subsistence producers are not
adversely affected, thereby protecting and supporting a legitimate source of
livelihood by poor Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Ma ac
RON ALO VIRGILIG S. LACSON
KABAYAN Party List Manila Teachers Party List

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4939

Introduced by Representatives
Ron P. Salo and Virgilio S. Lacson

AN ACT
EXEMPTING PHILIPPINE SEA SALT FROM MANDATORY IODIZATION,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8172, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS AN ACT FOR SALT IODIZATION NATIONWIDE (ASIN), AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. The following provisions of Republic Act No. 8172, otherwise known as
“An Act for Salt lodization Nationwide (ASIN), are hereby amended as follows:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “REVISED Act for Salt
lodization Nationwide (ASIN).”

XXX
SECTION 3. Purposes. The purposes of this Act are to:
XXX
b) require all producers/manufacturers of food-grade salt to iodize the salt
that they produce, manufacture, import, trade or distribute, EXCEPT IN
INSTANCES PROVIDED IN SEC. 6 OF THIS ACT;

Xxx

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act the following
terms shall mean:

XK
m) PHILIPPINE SEA SALT — SALT PRODUCED FROM THE
EVAPORATION OF SEAWATER IN ANY OF THE SALT FARMS

WITHIN THE PHILIPPINES, AND THE PREPARATION OF WHICH
INVOLVES VERY LITTLE PROCESSING.

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SECTION 5. Applicability.

a) This Act shall apply to the entire salt industry, including salt
producers/manufacturers, importers, traders, and distributors, EXCEPT
IN INSTANCES PROVIDED IN SEC. 6 OF THIS ACT, as well as
government and non-government agencies involved in salt iodization
activities.

xx
SEC. 2. A new Section 6 is hereby added to read as follows:

SECTION 6. EXEMPTIONS. — PHILIPPINE SEA SALT, AS DEFINED
UNDER SEC.3 (F) OF THIS ACT, IS HEREBY EXEMPTED FROM
MANDATORY IODIZATION. PRODUCERS OF SEA SALT SHALL
REGISTER WITH THE FDA, WHICH SHALL INSPECT AND ASSESS.
SAMPLES OF THEIR PRODUCTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING
WHETHER IT FALLS WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF SEA SALT.

THE FDA SHALL ISSUE GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS IN IDENTIFYING
PHILIPPINE SEA SALTS, MAINTAIN A REGISTRY OF SEA SALT
PRODUCERS, AND ISSUE THE APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE OR
AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PRODUCERS’ CONTINUED OPERATION.
THIS CERTIFICATE OR AUTHORIZATION SHALL SERVE TO PROTECT
‘SEA SALT PRODUCERS FROM HARASSMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES
AND ALLEGATIONS OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH [IODIZATION
REQUIREMENTS UNDER THIS ACT. LGUs SHALL ENACT MEASURES
TO ENSURE THAT SEA SALT PRODUCERS ARE FREE FROM
HARASSMENT ON THE BASIS OF ALLEGED NON-COMPLIANCE WITH
IODIZATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THIS ACT.

CONSISTENT WITH THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED SECTION 5 (E) ABOVE,
FOOD MANUFACTURERS THAT USE PHILIPPINE SEA SALT TO
MAINTAIN OR ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF A SPECIFIED FOOD
PRODUCT SHALL LIKEWISE BE EXEMPT FROM THE MANDATORY USE
OF IODIZED SALT. PROVIDED, THAT THE BURDEN OF PROVING THAT
THE USE OF SEA SALT ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT
LIES ON THE SAID FOOD MANUFACTURERS.

SEC. 3. The succeeding sections are hereby re-numbered accordingly: Sections 6,
7, 8, 9, and 10 are hereby re-numbered as Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, respectively.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOH in cooperation with
the agencies concerned shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of the amendment of this Act within sixty (60) days from its
approval.

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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — \f any portion of this Act is declared invalid, the
remainder of this Act shall not be affected by such declaration and shall remain valid
and enforceable.

SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation, whichever is earlier.

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