Iron-fortified rice unloaded in Iloilo port
At least 5,800 metric tons or about 116,000 sacks of iron-fortified rice are currently being unloaded by MV My Hung in the port of Iloilo according to the National Food Authority. This represents the first batch of rice imported by the National Food Authority from Vietnam.
This is part of the 13,725 metric tons or 274,500 bags of iron-fortified rice expected to be received by the NFA for 2006. Of this, NFA has programmed about 197,500 bags for region 8 and the rest for region 6. Iloilo is the receiving port for the rice allocation of region 8.
Unloading of the fortified rice is has also been done in Manila, Tabaco in Albay, Cagayan de Oro, Subic, Cebu, Davao, and Poro Point in La Union.
The rice will be distributed to the different provinces in Panay and Negros Occidental. NFA will also supply the DEPed rice for its Food for School Program for Pre-School and Grade 1 students of identified schools in the 5th and 6th class municipalities in the different provinces of Panay except Capiz. Under the program, the students will receive one kilo of rice per school day.
The fortification of the rice with iron is NFA's compliance with the Food Fortification Pro gram of Republic Act 8976 that requires rice, and other food items, to be fortified with Vitamin A, iron, or other food fortificants.
The NFA has been conducting regular briefings on the nutritional benefits of iron-fortified rice in all its offices nationwide. (PIA-6)