Author: ICTSadmin

DAVAO DEL NORTE | FEBRUARY 28, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Davao issued Notice of Violations (NoVs) to thirteen establishments (13) after conducting Clean-Up Drive (CUD) operation in the municipalities of San Isidro and Asuncion in Davao del Norte last February 15, 2023.

Violators were determined to lack the License to Operate (LTO) as a dealer, and the storekeepers are not accredited safety dispensers. One of them was issued with Stop Use, Move, Sale Order (SUMS) for selling expired products.

FPA advised the unlicensed handlers to attend the ASD training held last February 23, 2023, in Tagum City.

The ASD training is a prerequisite in securing a license to operate as a dealer of fertilizer and pesticide (F/P) products that aims to train store owners/proprietors, Individual Business Owners (IBOs) on the proper provision of guidance among end-users relative to the safe handling of products.

In addition, the team paid a courtesy visit to the Municipal Agriculture’s Office in San Isidro and distributed IEC materials.

The CUD operation, spearheaded by Regional Officer (RO) Marrisa Napalit, aimed to monitor distant agricultural areas where marketing of such agricultural inputs can possibly occur. ###

QUEZON CITY | February 24, 2022 – As the agency is gearing towards digitalization, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) inked its collaboration with Landbank of the Philippines for the online payment of accreditation services on February 24, 2023, at the FPA Board Room, Quezon City.

FPA OIC Executive Director Julieta Lansangan and the Landbank EDSA-NIA branch Head Marilou M. Saturno, led the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) witnessed by the FPA Management Committee.

Through this alternative payment system, clients for accreditation, such as Accredited Responsible Care Officer (ARCO), Certified Pesticide Applicator (CPA), Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD), and researchers, can now pay fees online. This partnership would greatly benefit the clients for easy access and minimize recurrent transactions in the Central Office.

Ms. Saturno provided a walkthrough of the online payment processing using the LinkBiz Portal and assured FPA that any modification for improvement would be applied as soon as all transactions, including licensing, will be integrated in the future.

Here are the easy steps of paying on Link.bizportal:

1. Access https://www.lbp-eservices.com/egps/portal/Merchants.jsp and choose Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority.

2. Choose the type of accreditation you’re paying for.

3. Fill in the required information. Do note that amounts are fixed for specific accreditation type.

DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR | FEBRUARY 23, 2023 – FPA Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Pesticide, Mr. Eric Divinagracia, and Provincial Officer (PO) Imelda Rasay joined the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) research committee meeting as one of the Technical Working Groups (TWG) to discuss concerns on aerial spraying of pesticide in the province last February 10, 2023, at DENR-PENRO Conference Hall in Digos City.

DENR, NEDA, Office of the Civil Defense, Tourism, and City and Provincial LGUs, have set up local guidelines to regulate modern crop protection technologies like drone spray applications, especially in Brgy. Kapatagan, Digos City, where banana plantations are located.

During the session, PO Rasay highlighted the memorandum circular issued by FPA on Good Agricultural Practices for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for use as spraying (MC no. 28 s. 2018). In addition, Ms. Rasay mentioned that FPA is already regulating Drone Spraying Operator Companies by accrediting their Pesticide Applicators and Spray Operation Crew, aside from their license as Drone Controller from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Moreover, PO Rasay discussed the drone application of pesticides, including the safety procedures in pesticide spraying, safe handling of pesticides, and pesticide safety – post application. She emphasized during her discussion the equipment needed, recommended flying altitude of drone sprayers, proper transportation of pesticides, and reports required after spraying.

DED Divinagracia also informed the committee that the lists of approved chemicals for specific crops for drone spraying are available on the FPA website.

“There will be no problem with the application, exposure limit from excess mist/drifts, and wind velocity as far as the formulation and the proper guidelines are followed,” Mr. Divinagracia added while citing its advantages from conventional practices.

The PAMB and the rest of the TWGs are set to finalize their local guidelines and will adopt the memorandum issued by FPA regarding Drone Aerial Spraying in Davao del Sur. ###