Author: ICTSadmin

PAGADIAN CITY | June 27, 2022 – To strengthen partnership with stakeholders in promoting safe and responsible use of agricultural pesticides, FPA Zamboanga Peninsula oriented 25 Pesticide Field Technicians and company representatives in Zamboanga del Sur at Springland Resort, Pagadian City on June 23, 2022.

The activity aims to orient company frontline workers on FPA mandates and functions, and give updates on the Agency’s guidelines especially product stewardship.

Regional Officer Alex Paalisbo discussed the role of FPA in agriculture and its mandates namely: assure the agricultural sector of adequate supplies of fertilizer and pesticide at reasonable prices, rationalize the manufacture and marketing of fertilizer, protect the public from risks inherent in the use of pesticides, and educate the agricultural sector in the use of these inputs (FPA Mandate).

Provincial Officer (PO) of Zamboanga Sibugay Charlie Limbag tackled the general information on pesticides including the legal basis and definition of pesticides. According to PD 1144, pesticides mean any substance or product intended to control, prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest, whether indirectly or directly. He also identified the different classifications of pesticides and products.

PO of Zamboanga del Norte Dionn Mark Bohol enumerated the requirements for product registration. He also discussed the process flow of registration and the proper labeling requirements. Labels should be provided with readily-understood information on:

• Content of the container and the purpose for which it may be used
• Direction on how to use the pesticide
• Hazards of the pesticide and appropriate precautions to take in its storage, handling and use
• Symptoms and signs of poisoning, and the recommended first aid and medical treatment in the event of poisoning

PO of Zamboanga del Sur Michael Tuico discussed product stewardship and post-registration activities. He mentioned that FPA officials will continue to monitor the companies regarding their compliance with product quality, residue on food and feeds, environment, pesticide poisoning prevention, and proper labeling.

PO of Zamboanga City Paulyn Kim Alfuente elaborated on pesticide poisoning and first aid management. In case of expected poisoning, PO Alfuente enumerated the immediate steps that should be done:

• Check if the person is breathing
• Stop exposure to the position
• Save the pesticide container and any remaining material. Give the readable label or name of chemicals to the physician. If unable to, save a sample of the vomit.

FPA then conducted a pre-test and post-test to gauge the knowledge and learnings of the participants where a significant improvement was observed. FPA RFU 9 promised that they would continue to monitor the compliance of the attendees, especially its product stewardship activities.

SOUTH COTABATO | June 24, 2022 – Twelve (12) FPA-licensed fertilizer and agricultural pesticide handlers were inspected by the FPA SOCCSKSARGEN during its 3-day Clean-Up Drive (CUD) Operation on June 14-16, 2022 in the Municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Polomolok, Banga, and City of Koronadal, South Cotabato. Sixty-nine (69) fertilizers and 119 pesticides products were randomly checked.

Out of the 12 handlers inspected, two (2) were found in possession of unregistered fertilizer and agricultural pesticide products. As a result, FPA issued Stop Use, Move, and Sale (SUMS) Order to Southside Agri-Products Trading and JS Agri Supply for violating Section 8 and 9 of Presidential Decree No. 1144.

On the other hand, compliant handlers were commended by FPA for implementing FPA standards.

Warehouses and mixing stations of Lapanday Foods Corporation and DOLE Philippines were also monitored. Both were found compliant with FPA standards and good housekeeping practices such as tidiness, good product storage and stacking, use of appropriate PPEs by the personnel, existence of emergency shower and eye wash stations, proper waste disposal and availability of spill kits, fire extinguishers, good floor construction, good ventilation, and presence of safety and warning signs. The station workers also practice triple rinsing.

Moreover, FPA collected prices and inventories of traditional fertilizers and agricultural pesticides and monitored newly registered fertilizer products in the area. This is to assure the farmers of adequate supplies of agricultural inputs in the province.

The three-day activity was spearheaded by FPA Provincial Officer (PO) for South Cotabato, Jennie Basilio together with Sarangani PO Joey Pascua, Sultan Kudarat PO Cherubin Alonzo, North Cotabato PO Maricel Tabigue, and supervised by FPA Regional Officer Alita Bornea.

The operation was conducted to enforce safety and regulatory practices, and also to strengthen the monitoring and inspection of fertilizer and pesticide handlers, products, and warehouses. ###

LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY | June 27, 2022 – FPA Bicol lectured to 117 farmers from different barangays in Legaspi on the safe and judicious use of agricultural inputs and promoted the use of Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) during ATI’s (Agricultural Training Institute) five-day training on Production of High-Quality Inbred Rice, Seed Certification, and Farm Mechanization.

The training, of which FPA was a resource person, was held on June 24, 2022 at Good Grass Farm, Happy Homes Subdivision, Brgy. Pawa, Legaspi City.

Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel Atole started off his discussion with topics on soil health, fertilizer application and plant growth. He then emphasized the need for soil analysis if soil health is to be maintained. On the question of the price spike in fertilizer and dependency on inorganic fertilizer, Mr. Atole recommended the application of BFS.

BFS refers to a recognized site-specific nutrient management to improve fertilizer use efficiency and refers to the application of plant nutrients in optimum quantities in the right proportion through appropriate methods at the time suited for a specific crop and agro-climatic condition that leads to soil health building (BSWM, 2020).

Provincial Officer (PO) of Albay Winsor Nueva discussed the general information of pesticide, proper pesticide labeling, safe handling, possible chemical hazards, and first aid management.  He emphasized the importance of reading the pesticide label before buying, mixing, applying/spraying, storing and disposing of it due to the inherent risk in the use of pesticides.

Meanwhile, Sorsogon Provincial Officer Engr. Ardon Ryan Nee-Estuye explained the major issues impacting the soil, and plant growth, and how the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) can address these issues.  He also reminded the farmer-participants to buy only FPA registered agricultural inputs from licensed-FPA dealers.

The training was organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) together with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as part of the Rice Extension Services Program (RESP) under the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

RESP aims to provide and improve the knowledge, attitude, skills, and practices of the RCEF beneficiaries in producing more rice and reduce production cost through training. ###

OROQUIETA CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL | June 27, 2022 – In collaboration with Agway Chemicals Corporation, the City Agriculture Office of Oroquieta, and the Provincial Agriculture Office of Misamis Occidental, the FPA Northern Mindanao oriented the Mango Contractors and Growers on the acquisition of nitrate-based fertilizers last June 7, 2022 at the Training Capitol Cultural Center.

Provincial Officer (PO) Lorna Sajol explained the existing regulations of R.A 9516 regarding the acquisition of potassium nitrate and other nitrates for agricultural use to the fourteen mango contractors and growers. Only FPA-licensed mango contractors and growers can purchase and use potassium nitrate and other nitrates for mango flower induction.

Pesticides and safe handling of the agricultural chemicals provided under Presidential Decree 1144 were also tackled specifically the:

• Adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) in pesticide formulation and application.
• Sale, manufacture, and marketing of FPA-registered pesticide products
• Sanctions imposed on unregistered, adulterated, and mislabeled products.

Meanwhile, Jerson Bajenting and Ambrosio Bariquit, Agway Chemicals Corporation’s Technical Commercial Manager and Consultant, respectively; discussed about plant nutrition, flower induction, cultural practices, insect and pest identification, and disease management for mango as part of their product stewardship and responsible care program. ###

Talibon, Bohol | June 23, 2022 – Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Pesticide Eric Divinagracia, Regional Officer (RO) Arnulfo Arausa, Jr. and Talibon Municipal Agriculturist Angelito Oroyan led the training on the proper use of fertilizer and pesticide to 42 rice farmers in Barangay San Francisco, Talibon, Bohol

During the training DED Divinagracia highlighted the importance of FPA’S registration process on fertilizers, pesticides and handlers to ensure the quality and safety of each brand available in all FPA licensed establishments. He also addressed the reasons on the current fertilizer price situation due to limited supply caused by global concerns such as Covid 19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, surging input costs, export restrictions, and etc.

On the other hand, RO Arausa, Jr. oriented the rice farmers on the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) to minimize the cost of inputs and maintain soil fertility.

The BFS Program is a long-term solution to address the rising price of fertilizer globally and the deteriorating soils by judicious use and/or combination of inorganic and organic materials like rice straw, livestock, and chicken manure to supply plants with appropriate nutrients to ensure that the crop can sustain high production over long cropping periods preserving the nutrients and improving soil structure.

Furthermore, Provincial Officer Andy Cornell Bornillo discussed the topic on Safe and Judicious Use of Fertilizer and Pesticide. He emphasized on the importance of wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling agricultural inputs during transportation, storage, cleaning, application and disposal.

Mr. Crispin Renos from Planters Products Inc., Meg. Tech Trading Mr. Limuel Fajardo, and Mr. Warlito Cresencio were also present in the training.

FPA Central Visayas also distributed kits containing Gabay sa Tamang Paggamit ng Abono at Pestisidyo and Agency Primer. ###