Author: ICTSadmin

As a way of celebrating another year filled with lessons, accomplishments and memories shared by FPA employees and stakeholders, the agency held its Year-End Program convening all FPA employees from the Central and Regional Office on December 6, 2019 at the FPA Auditorium.

“Let us continue to strive hard to provide the best service our stakeholders deserve,” said Executive Wilfredo Roldan while citing the reforms instituted in the organization since he took the FPA leadership. He recognized the efforts by the FPA employees and the industry stakeholders which are integral in the fulfillment of the agency’s mandate.

The industry stakeholders in attendance also expressed their acknowledgement of FPA’s initiatives and current directions as they commit to remain as FPA’s partners in building a strong foundation for the development of the fertilizer and pesticide industry. It comes along with it the social responsbility to educate the farmers and the general public on the safe application of agricultural inputs.

During the occassion, the FPA employees travelled back to the past, the present and the future when everyone dressed themselves according to appropriate fashion of their social generation: Millenials (29 y/o and below)- past, Xennials (30s-40s)- present, Generation X and Baby Boomers (41 y/o and above)- future. The gig defined the theme #FPAGens which can be interpreted as ‘the old generations shall remain young at heart and live longer, and the younger generations shall carry on the legacy started by the older generations.’

The event showcased the talents of FPA employees when the Central Office and the Regional Offices battled during talent showdown. In the end, the Mindanao Cluster (Regions IX-XII, Caraga and ARMM) was declared the champion, achieving the feat for three consecutive years. Their winning entry was a video presentation centered on ‘hopefulness and sharing blessings despite the odds brought about by the recent earthquakes that hit their region.’

Best dressed employees of the different generations are also given recognition and prizes.

Past Generation:

Jonalyn Tolero, PRD (Female)

Rustom Taduyan, FU XI (Male)

Present Generation:      

Sharmaine Tecson, LSD (Female)

Angelo Bugarin, LSD (Male)

Future Generation:          

Imelda Rasay, FU XI (Female)

Charles Joseph Follosco, FU X (Male)

To evaluate the agency’s accomplishments for the FY 2019 and to set up plans for FY 2020, the Planning, Management and and Information Division (PMID) facilitated the conduct of Year-End National Conference held at the FPA Central Office Function Hall.

The activity kicked-off through the presentation of the Salient Features of Revised Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines by FRD Chief Julieta Lansangan, and of the Pesticide Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines by Deputy Executive Director for Pesticide Eric Divinagracia, and the discussion of the Revised Citizen’s Charter by FOCU Supervising Agriculturist Suzettie Alcaide.

The next day, Elizabeth Ramiro, FAD Chief, together with OIC-Budget Officer Genalyn Guardiano, presented the Financial Performance Review and Presentation of the FY 2020 Budget Based on NEP.

Afterwards, all the FPA Regional Offices presented their Physical Performance Review covering January to November 2019.

On the third day, a field inspection training course and a knowledge sharing with the industry was organized to enable the FPA Regional and Provincial Officers to update their knowledge on the emerging practices for pesticide management.

A discussion on the pesticide regulatory practices in the State of California, United States, was delivered by Alexander Lagman, an environmental scientist from the Department of Pesticide Regulation, Central Regional Office of Clovis, California.

Other lectures included Pesticide Residues, Toxicology and Maximum Residue Limits by Eric John Cruz, a licensed chemist and Head of Pesticide Management Division of the National Crop Protection Center – University of the Philippines Los Baños, Occupational Health and Safety by FPA Evaluator Dr. Wernher Bautista, and Product Stewardship Program by Joel Rosario of CropLife.

On the last day, the FPA employees have undergone orientation on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11032 otherwise known as Ease on Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery (EODB-EGSD) with ARTA Representative Jaifreed Cabangal who served as the resource person. He shared about the prescribed processing time of government services, automatic approval, reengineering of systems and procedures, accountability of heads of offices/agencies, citizen’s charter, and the penalties under the act.

In the afternoon, a lecture on Basic Photography and Social Media Management was facilitated by the Information Unit to capacitate the FUs in properly documenting their field activities, and observing effective content sharing online.

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) through its Regional Field Units strengthens partnership with other government agencies in enabling livelihood program beneficiaries to be engaged in viable livelihood or microenterprise projects like fertilizer and pesticide dealership.

As such, the FPA is being tapped by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)to conduct capacity-building activities for individual farmers and farmers organizations/associations who are beneficiaries of the “Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Project” or the CLAAP, a program being jointly implemented by DSWD and DAR which aims to expand and increase farmer’s access to economic opportunities.

During trainings, FPA introduces to the beneficiaries the requirements for dealership and provides lectures on responsible use and proper handling of fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs. All topics are covered by the dealership required examination or the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) examination.

Even if individuals or groups are non-CLAAP beneficiaries, FPA has already been supporting local farmer’s associations desiring to venture into fertilizer and pesticide dealership business. FPA advises farmers that it is easier [and cheaper] to register as a farmer’s association than as an individual dealer, and formation of a cooperative would require registration from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

The FPA Region II, in partnership with Croplife Philippines, facilitated a series of seminars on the safe and judicious use of fertilizer and pesticides to the  different State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Cagayan Valley on November 19-21, 2019.

The activity targetted senior and graduating agriculture students coming from the Isabela State University (ISU) – Cauayan City and Echague Campus, Quirino State University (QSU) – Maddela and Diffun Campus and the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU).

Henry Fronda, Regional Officer of Region II, said that the seminar was customized to introduce discussion on fertilizer and pesticide application and management.

“We took the initiative after knowing that there is not enough exposure on responsible use of agricultural pesticides, pesticide product label interpretation, product stewardship and insect resistance management (IRM) in the schools,” he explained.

He added that these are essential topics which can be covered by the licensure examination for agriculture (LEA), thus the activity would also serve as a preparatory and review course.

The Board of Directors (BoD) of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)approved the proposed amendments of the Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines for Fertilizer (Bluebook) and Pesticide (Greenbook)at the Landbank, Malate, Manila on 24 October 2019.

With DA Secretary William Dar serving as the Chairperson, he said that FPA’s role in the rapid agricultural growth is crucial. He emphasized the need to hasten the processing of registrations for fertilizer and pesticide in response to the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.

FPA Executive Director Wilfredo Roldan said that the revised guidelines present the updated regulatory requirements for fertilizer and pesticide which meet the current demands of agency’s stakeholders.

He noted that the revisions are the product of FPA consultations with its stakeholders composed by the industry, academe, and technical consultants.

“Their guidance enabled FPA on what to do and what to change without sacrificing the quality of the registration and the regulatory function of the FPA. We want to respond to the needs of the public and the stakeholders,” he said.

In the new version of said guidelines, provisions for the Mode of Action (MoA) on product labeling and drone application for pesticide spraying has been integrated. It also presents updated requirements for Experimental Use Permits (EUPs), and the acceptance of third-party authorizations (TPA) for pesticide.

Other members of the BoD include the heads of the Food and Drugs Administration (DOH-FDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Department of Finance (DoF), Philippine National Bank (PNB), and the Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI). They have sent their representatives during the meeting.

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) advises the public not to buy fake pesticides in the market.

After reports of smuggled pesticide products from China has been confiscated in Cagayan Valley, Executive Director Wilfredo Roldan during his opening remarks during the Pesticide Handling Training held at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) facilitated by the Field Operations and Coordinating Unit (FOCU) on October 28, said that such should not be availed of since these may harm both the user and the environment.

He advised farmers to always buy FPA registered pesticides by looking at the product label.

“It is obvious that some of these products came from other countries since their label is written in a foreign language, making it hard for us to understand their chemical contents,” he said.

He explained that farmers tend to buy cheaper smuggled pesticide products without considering the efficacy and safety of the product.

Dir. Roldan then urged the public to report incidence of entry and proliferation of pesticide products to FPA Central Office and its Regional Offices for investigation and confiscation.

“The public may also refer to the FPA’s social media accounts and website where they could be updated on fertilizer and pesticide regulations, and be educated on the information campaign efforts of the agency.”

Meanwhile, FPA has the mandate to ensure the safety and quality of fertilizer and pesticides through product registration, institutionalization of product stewardship program, and conduct of relevant information campaign.

MACO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY – To monitor the gravity of infestation caused by white grubs and weevil in banana plantations in Davao Region, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) led by Executive Director Wilfredo Roldan conducted an on-site inspection on September 20, 2019.

This is in response to the request of Davao-based researchers and banana industry for technical assistance in its control since there is no registered pesticide specific to such pest. It was reported that more or less a thousand hectares are affected.

The report added that the infestation, if not prevented, would be an added concern along with Fusarium Wilt, also known as Panama Disease that is already causing huge reduction of export bananas due to decreased in banana production.

Director Roldan said that the FPA will coordinate with industry stakeholders and other government agencies to address the concern, and for the conduct of information campaign,whenever necessary. (with reports from FPA FU XI)