January 23-29 is Goiter Awareness Week in the Philippines, by presidential proclamation, the Philippine Information Agency has announced.

"This awareness campaign is focused on informing pregnant and lactating women on the benefits of using iodized salt, educating them on iodine deficiency disorders and its effects to their babies and solicits support from the local government units to promote salt iodization program.

"Unfortunately, only about 50 percent of Filipinos use iodized salt, more than twelve years after Republic Act 8172 or ASIN Law was signed on December 20, 1995 aimed to end iodine deficiency syndrome described as a silent but a tremendous nutritional problem among Filipinos.

"The salt iodization program is also aimed to breed Filipinos who are healthier, more intelligent, empowered and globally competitive.

"The government is still addressing the situation by an intensive information drive about the benefits of iodized salt and performing health related programs. The best way to avoid goiter is to eat lot of sea foods, milk and dairy products, bread, and fruits."