Author: ICTSadmin

BANAYBANAY, DAVAO ORIENTAL | September 27, 2022 – Thirty (30) environmental workers of a mining company in Davao Oriental attended the seminar on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) at the Mining Resettlement Activity Area in Brgy. Pintatagan, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental last September 22, 2022.

The seminar conducted by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) aimed to train these workers to be responsible for the proper usage of fertilizers and pesticides following the government’s order to the mining company to comply and provide forest rehabilitation programs such as tree planting.

Regional Officer (RO) Marrisa Napalit walked them through the Presidential Decree 1144, which states the creation and the rules governing FPA and GAP. GAP refers “to the practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and which result in safe and quality food and nonfood agricultural products” (Republic Act No. 10611).

Further, Provincial Officer (PO) Junette A. Cano discussed the safe and judicious use of agricultural inputs, proper handling and storage, and application of crop protection products and fertilizers as well as the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS).

BFS is a program that includes the FPA and other DA agencies involved in farming. The idea of the program is to institutionalize the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers and other forms of strategies (i.e., green manuring or cover cropping, individual farm soil fertility maps, diversifying and improving cropping system, etc.) to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while maintaining soil structure and fertility.

The said strategy applies the 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

Aside from FPA, other regulatory government agencies were also present and discussed other pertinent information about the regulations in the mining industry. These efforts were essential to preserve and protect the environment. ###

BAUANG, LA UNION | September 27, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Regional Field Unit I conducted an Accredited Safety Disperser (ASD) training on fertilizers and pesticides (F/P) to 111 attendees in Bauang, La Union, on September 22-23, 2022.

During the training, Regional Officer (RO) Joseph Andre John O. Martinez introduced the Agency and its function, as well as the prohibitions governing the sales and use of F/P and its legal basis. He emphasized that licensed dealers should be responsible partners in providing quality F/P products to farmers and shall not patronize fake, off-specs, or ineffective fertilizers to protect the interests of the farmers and the industry.

Further, RO Martinez informed them of the current situation of the local fertilizer industry and the reasons for the fertilizer price hike.

The other topics discussed in the training were general information on F/P, proper handling and storage practices, safe and judicious use of agricultural inputs, good housekeeping, and first aid management in case of accidental pesticide poisoning.

RO Martinez also encouraged the participants to adopt the Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS) program recommended by the Department of Agriculture to institutionalize the use of the combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers and other strategies to attain the maximum potential yield of farmlands while maintaining soil structure and fertility.

BFS applies the concept of 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

ASD training is a pre-requisite in securing an FPA license to operate as a dealer and aims to train store owners/proprietors, Individual Business Owners (IBOs) on the proper dispensing of F/P products.

The training was spearheaded by RO Joseph Andre John Martinez and Provincial Officers Melecio Choschos, John Mark Manangan, Medardo B. Santiago, and Noel M. Tablada. ###

QUEZON, ISABELA | September 27, 2022 – Six (6) individuals were caught in the entrapment operation for transporting counterfeit fertilizer bags in the province of Isabela last September 25, 2022.

Authorities seized 305 bags of Xian-bee 14-14-14 fertilizer, Php1,000 bill, 550 pieces of one thousand boodle money used in the entrapment, one unit of white Isuzu truck with plate number CAR 7943, and one orange Toyota Hilux with plate number NBW 2411 from the arrested suspects. The estimated cost of the confiscated fertilizer was more than Php500,000.

Currently, FPA has suspended the License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) of the said manufacturer in line with Memorandum Order no. 23 (dated August 12, 2022) and was given with Stop Use, Move, and Sales (SUMS) Hold Order due to manufacturing off-spec products.

The arrested suspects were brought to CIDG Cagayan PFU for documentation and disposition prior to the filing of charges in violation of RA7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines) and Presidential Decree 1144 (An Act Regulating the Fertilizer and Pesticide Industry).

Dubbed as “OLEA-OPLAN MEGA SHOPPER,” the entrapment was a joint operation of the Cagayan Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Provincial Field Unit (CIDG), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Regional Special Operations Team, Provincial Intelligence Unit, Isabela Police Provincial Office, Mallig Police Station, and Quezon Police Station. ###

REGION XII | September 20, 2022 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has issued Stop Use, Move, Sale (SUMS) Hold Orders to 19 dealers in SOCCSKSARGEN from August until September 15, 2022.

This is in line with the memorandum issued by FPA dated last September 13, 2022, on the issuance of SUMS Hold Order on the identified suspended products before pulling out. In addition, the said memorandum is in accordance with the memorandum from July 6, 2022, for notice to issue SUMS Hold Order to any handlers of various fertilizer products.

A total of 589 50-kg bags of Turbo Prime Complete 14 and 34 50-kg bags of Turbo Prime Multi-Elements, and Turbo Prime 16-20-0 were found off-specs/substandard. As a result, the said products were withheld by the field officers.

Additionally, 38 50-kg bags of Turbo Prime Complete 14 were already pulled-out from CDM Marketing, Rueland Agri Supply, LRV Agri Supply, and Waggy Agrivet Supply on September 1, 2022. The company initiated the pullout and was witnessed by Provincial Officer (PO) Cherubin M. Alonzo.

The orders were issued by FPA Field Officers Joey B. Pascua, Cherubin M. Alonzo, Jennie M. Basilio, and Maricel P. Tabigue under the supervision of Regional Officer Alita C. Bornea.

Through intensified monitoring, FPA assured continued vigilance in implementing regulations to guarantee the farming sector of quality fertilizer and commended the dealers for cooperating. ###

ALCALA, CAGAYAN | Misamis Oriental | September 19, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Northern Mindanao trained 23 mango contractors and growers on the acquisition and sale of nitrates for agriculture use last September 15, 2022, at Brgy. Tubigan Covered Court, Initao, Misamis Oriental.

The topics highlighted in the program were in reference to the purchase and sale of potassium nitrates and other nitrates for agricultural use.

Provincial Officer (PO) Romnick N. Boctot discussed the provision of nitrate fertilizers and emphasized the existing regulation on the importation, transport, storage, and use of nitrate under the jurisdiction of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP-FEO) as provided by Republic Act (RA) 9516.

Since nitrates can be used to manufacture explosives and explosive ingredients, a permit to purchase and acquire potassium nitrates and other nitrates is required from the Chief of the PNP-FEO, and only FPA-licensed persons/entities can apply for a permit to import and use nitrates for agricultural use.

In addition, PO Boctot explained that mango contractors and growers who desire to purchase and use nitrates for mango flower induction should conform to the instructions given during the FPA-accredited mango contractor’s training workshop.

Additionally, Leads Agricultural Products Corporation Mr. Arnold M. Balios and Henry G. Camaling Jr. discussed pesticides’ stewardship and responsible care, emphasizing the mode of action and disposal of empty pesticide packaging.

During the program, mango contractors and growers also created an association and elected a set of officers.

PO Romnick N. Boctot organized the event with assistance of Mr. Illuminado B. Balios Jr., the representative of Tropicuke Incorporated. The activity is under the supervision of Regional Officer (RO) Ma. Sonia C. Calleja. ###

ALCALA, CAGAYAN | September 22, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Henry C. Cayaban, Jr. warned 70 farmers about fake fertilizers during the Fertilizer Discount Voucher Subsidy Program in Brgy. Abeg, Alcala, Cagayan on September 21, 2022.

Through the program, PO Cayaban, Jr. informed the farmers of the rampant circulation of fake fertilizers and encouraged them to be knowledgeable in determining inauthentic fertilizer as he discussed its characteristics.

“Fake fertilizers are soft and easily pulverized, have high moisture content, and have incomplete details in sacks,” he said while adding that fake fertilizer’s granules were not uniform in size, unlike standard fertilizers, which are all even.

Moreover, PO Cayaban, Jr. also reminded the farmers to always check the weight of the fertilizer before purchasing since there were bags of fertilizer inspected to be under-weight during FPA’s continuous monitoring.

He then guaranteed the beneficiaries of FPA’s effort following its mandate of assuring the farmers of quality agricultural inputs and aimed to intensify the enforcement against fake and substandard fertilizer.

The 70 beneficiaries of the fertilizer subsidy program of the Department of Agriculture were rice farmers from different barangays in Alcala, Cagayan. ###

BATANGAS | September 27, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Officer-in-Charge Dr. Myer G. Mula supervised the inspection and random weighing of three (3) fertilizer handlers in Batangas last September 20, 2022.

As part of the intensive monitoring to address the ongoing issue of fake/unsound fertilizers, the team inspected two (2) major importer warehouses in Bauan and San Pascual and one (1) dealer in Lipa City, Batangas.

Before the actual weighing of bags, Dr. Mula briefed the establishments’ representatives and explained that some reports of under-weight fertilizers were circulating in the market that affected the farmers.

Following the FPA’s sampling method, the team found that around 28-37% of the total sampled products from both importers’ warehouses were under-weight. The lowest weight recorded was 49.54 kg for a 50-kg fertilizer bag. Meanwhile, 20% of the samples in the dealer’s store were also under-weight.

Though the team recognized that handlers received their stocks as is, Dr. Mula reiterated that farmers purchased fertilizers in bags. Therefore, each bag should conform according to the standard. As a corrective action, under-weight bags will be subjected to re-bagging and shall be supervised by FPA personnel.

The data generated from the weighted sampling will be analyzed and reported to the Fertilizer Industry Association of the Philippines (FIAP).

FPA RFU IV Regional Officer Ms. Suzettie M. Alcaide and Batangas Provincial Officer Georlene P. Orbista assisted with the visit. ###

ISABELA PROVINCE | September 22, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Noel A. Baliuag, Jr. and Provincial Agriculturist Marites Frgoso inspected the DTD Agricultural Organiques in Brgy. Bagong Silang, Ilagan, Isabela last September 21, 2022.

During the inspection, the team monitored 28,000 pcs. of 50-kilogram fertilizer bags in their warehouse and observed that the said company has the potential to be a source of quality organic fertilizer. However, the said organic fertilizer should be registered under the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) who are mandated under the organic law RA 10068 and 11511.

DDT Agricultural Organiques, owned and managed by Mr. Aladin Puno, is a well-known organic fertilizer producer in the province. The inspection was conducted to determine its capacity and capability to produce organic fertilizer of good quality and quantity, following the plans of the local government of Isabela to search for manufacturers in the province that could support and promote the Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS) program of the Department of Agriculture.

BFS is a program recommended by FPA and other DA agencies that applies the 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent declining soil fertility, and improve fertilizer availability and costs. It also aimed to address the ongoing price hikes of fertilizer in the market.

The Bidding and Awards Committee (BAC) of the LGU of Isabela will determine the procurement and supplier of organic fertilizers for the program based on the result of the inspections. ###