AN ACT PROMOTING SALT IODIZATION NATIONWIDE AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES

Tenth Congress
First Regular Session

[ REPUBLIC ACT No. 8172, December 20, 1995 ]

AN ACT PROMOTING SALT IODIZATION NATIONWIDE AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as "An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote the health of the people, to maintain an effective food regulatory system, and to provide the entire population especially women and children with proper nutrition. For this purpose, the State shall promote the nutritional fortification of food to combat micronutrient malnutrition as a priority health program for the nation.

Section 3. Purposes. – The purposes of this Act are to:

Section 4. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:

Section 5. Applicability. –

Section 6. Support to the Salt Industry. – The following agencies and institutions shall support the salt iodization program through their respective internal programs:

Section 7. Public Information. – The benefits and rationale of the use of iodized salt shall be adequately disseminated and promoted through organized, systematic and nationwide information campaign which shall involve major sectors of society to be spearheaded by the DOH, in cooperation and coordination with the LGUs and other agencies concerned, particularly the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), provincial science centers, private sector, and students.

The implementing agency, in coordination with the PIA, shall seek the cooperation of the media sector to assist in public information dissemination. Salt iodization and its benefits shall also be included and given emphasis in all levels of health subjects in both public and private schools.

Section 8. The Salt Iodization Advisory Board. – The National Nutrition Council (NNC), as presently composed, including representatives of the DENR, the medical profession and the salt manufacturers, shall serve as the salt iodization advisory board and shall function as the policy and coordinating body on salt iodization programs and activities. It shall coordinate the efforts of all agencies concerned and monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act. It shall also submit an annual report to the Congress of the Philippines on the progress of the salt iodization program and offer recommendations for its improvement.

Section 9. Sanctions. – The procedures for imposing sanctions under this Act and for inspecting and investigating the premises where any salt is received, held, manufactured, labeled, stored, displayed, delivered, distributed, sold, or located, or where it is reasonably believed these activities are being carried out or where salt is located, shall be in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 3720, otherwise known as the Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, As Amended: Provided, That any person, whether natural or juridical, who violates any of the provisions of this Act or any of the rules and regulations promulgated for its effective implementation shall be punished by a fine of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000) nor more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000): Provided, however, That if the violation is committed by any officer, director or member of a business and a juridical entity acting beyond the scope of his authority, such officer, director or member responsible therefore shall be personally liable for the fine: Provided, further, That such violator shall suffer a revocation of its business permit and/or a ban of its product from the market: Provided, finally, That the BFAD, in coordination with the LGUs concerned, shall be authorized to impose and collect the fines from the violators, and such collections shall accrue to the BFAD for its use in the implementation of this Act.

Section 10. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall initially be charged to the appropriations of the agencies concerned, as may be appropriated, under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOH, in cooperation with the agencies concerned, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within sixty (60) days from its approval.

Section 12. Separability Clause. – If 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.

Section 13. 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.

Approved,

This Act which originated in the House of Representative was finally passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on November 16, 1995 and November 15, 1995, respectively.

Approved: December 20, 1995.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines