Author: ICTSadmin

HILONGOS, LEYTE | December 9, 2022 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Regional Field Unit VIII conducted the Hipos Baseyo Program on Dec. 1, 2022, at the Municipal Gym in Hilongos, Leyte.

This program aimed to collect empty pesticide bottles from the farmers and inform them of the proper procedure for using agricultural pesticides to avoid the inherent risk to health and the environment.

Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Officer Neil Melvin Flordelis and Municipal Agriculturist Elma Oja welcomed and introduced the participants. At the same time, Mr. Jaypee O. Ollave, the President of the Eastern Visayas AgroChemical Association (EVACA), provided an overview of the program.

In addition, FPA Provincial Officer (PO) Eric Castanas discussed the proper handling and disposal of empty containers of agricultural pesticides while Regional Officer (RO) Francis Costas gave updates on FPA’s activities in the area as well as the closing message.

The activity drew 101 participants from the agricultural committee, farmer leaders, and association members. This was made possible by the FPA RFU 8 team headed by RO Costas, the Eastern Visayas AgroChemical Association (EVACA), and the LGU Hilongos, Leyte.

Hilongos, Leyte, was the chosen pilot area for this program because it is one of the rice granary areas in the province. ###

CAVITE | December 6, 2022 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Region IV conducted training on the safe and judicious use of fertilizer and pesticide (F/P) to 44 corn and rice farmers from the different cities and municipalities in the province Cavite. The training was conducted at Farmer’s Hall, Provincial Agriculture Compound, Trece Martires City, Cavite last November 24, 2022.

Provincial Officer (PO) Georlene Orbista discussed the functions of the FPA and provided updates on the FPA’s policies, plans, and programs. Further, she explained the reasons for the increasing prices of fertilizers and highlighted that the global fertilizer crisis was due to the rising prices of fuel, the Ukraine-Russian conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, most fertilizer-exporting countries prioritized their local distribution over exportation.

Meanwhile, PO Mark Nicky Larga promoted the implementation of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS). BFS is a program initiated by the Department of Agriculture that pushes for the use of combined organic and inorganic inputs and other forms of strategy to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while promoting balanced fertilization in maintaining soil fertility. The said strategy uses 4rs in the Nutrient Stewardship concept: right source, right rate, right time, and right place.

Mr. Ingracio Baral and Mr. Kelvin Bryan Monserrat served as resource persons from the pesticide industry to discuss the safe handling of pesticides and the proper wearing of PPEs. They also highlighted the importance of pesticide label information, including first aid management in case of accidental poisoning, Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), re-entry period, empty pesticide container triple-rinsing, disposal, and cocktailing of pesticides.

FPA Region IV also provided informational materials to the participants such as Gabay sa Tamang Paggamit ng Abono at Pestisidyo to further help them with their farming.

Afterward, Regional Officer (RO) Suzettie Alcaide initiated a consultation meeting with the participants to gather inputs from the farmers on how the agency can further improve its services related to its mandates. Some of the suggestions were:

(1) the massive information dissemination on off-specification and fake fertilizers to protect the farmers as end-users, especially since the prices of fertilizers are still high;

(2) there should be efforts from FPA to lower the price of fertilizers to make them more affordable to farmers; and

 (3) help farmers to gain access to fertilizer vouchers and other support mechanisms from the DA.

The training was in partnership with the Local Government of Cavite – Office of the Provincial Agriculture and Oracle Chemical Corp. ###

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE | December 6, 2022 – Sixty-eight (68) attendees from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Dealers Association of Davao Inc. (FAPDADI) were gathered to benefit from the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) Refresher Course Program of the FPA Davao Region. The activity was held in FAPDADI’s year-end General Assembly at Basilio’s Place, San Miguel, Tagum City on December 6, 2022.

Different fertilizer and pesticide dealer members attended the said event, together with Deputy Executive Director for Pesticide Eric C. Divinagravia, Regional Officer Marrisa G. Napalit, Provincial Officers (PO) Junette Cano, Rustom Gain Tanduyan and Cheery B. Agrade.

PO Agrade, the association’s adviser, started the refresher course by presenting the FPA updates and reminded the participants to be vigilant about the proliferation of fake and off-spec fertilizers and pesticides in the market. In addition, as a form of review, she discussed with the dealers the basic practices of a safety dispenser, such as checking the proper pesticide labeling since mislabeled products were also increasing in the market. She reminded them to check their shelf life and observe proper disposal of expired products, as well as the proper repacking procedures of fertilizers into different kilogram bags. She emphasized the importance of randomly weighing the fertilizer bags before accepting the products from their suppliers.

Lastly, PO Rustom Gain Tanduyan talked through the proper handling and storage of fertilizer, as this was a common violation in every store. At the same time, Syngenta’s Product Stewardship Manager Catherine Sumagaysay promoted awareness of the safe use of crop protection products, IRAC, FRAC, and HRAC. A Christmas program was experienced at the latter part of the assembly.

FAPDADI was the first to receive an ASD refresher course in the Davao region. RO Napalit stressed the significance of this initiative since there was a need to update the safety dispensers, especially on the standard operating procedures at the store, FPA memoranda, and awareness of fake and off-specs agricultural inputs. In addition, like in the ASD training, the attendees re-visited the agency’s primer, licensing, and regulatory procedures.

The association was created to establish a strong network of all dealers in the province, especially in the information dissemination of FPA Updates, campaigns, thorough communication with the local government and the stakeholders, and social and welfare programs for the members. Currently, the association has a total of 150 active members to date and continues to grow. ###

MONTEVISTA, DAVAO DE ORO | November 26, 2022 – Forty-six (46) attendees attended the 3rd year-end General Assembly and Christmas Party of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Dealers Association of Davao de Oro Inc. (FAPDACI Davao de Oro) at D’ Fortees Nature Park and Inland Resort in Montevista, Davao de Oro last November 26, 2022.

As part of the program, Syngenta’s Product Stewardship Manager Ms. Catherine Sumagaysay discussed the awareness of the safe use of Crop Protection Products as well as the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC), Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC), and Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC).

Provincial Officer (PO) Rustom Gain Tanduyan, who also served as the association’s adviser, presented the FPA updates and warned the participants about the proliferation of fake and off-spec fertilizers and pesticides in the market.

Through the general assembly, PO Tanduyan reminded the dealers of the basic practices of safety dispensers on checking the pesticide labeling since mislabeled products were increasing in the market. He also reiterated the proper repacking procedures of fertilizers into different kilogram bags and conducting random weighing activity of fertilizer bags before accepting the products from their suppliers. He emphasized the importance of patronizing products from FPA-licensed suppliers/distributors and checking the products’ legitimacy by visiting the FPA website.

And to further strengthen the presence and visibility of the association to the farmers and local government, FPA and FAPDACI planned to establish awareness campaign programs by putting up IEC billboards and posters with information about the pesticide’s shelf life and warning against underweight, fake, and off-specs fertilizers to all strategic locations in the province. FPA and FAPDACI agreed to coordinate with the LGU and Industry Players to materialize this proposal by next year and, hopefully, another accomplishment for the Association.

Lastly, the re-election of a new set of officers and fun activities for the members were also experienced in the event.

The FAPDACI was created in 2018 with its set of Officers and members, and as of the moment, the association’s members grew to 72. The creation of the association was to establish a strong network of all dealers in the province, especially in the information dissemination of FPA updates, campaigns, thorough communication with the local government and the stakeholders, and welfare programs for the members. ###

PILI, CAMARINES SUR | November 28, 2022 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Bicol Region presented its 2022 accomplishments in the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting happened last November 24, 2022, at Troy’s Diner, Pili, Camarines Sur.

FPA Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel Atole met the 24 fertilizer and pesticide (F/P) area distributors and company representatives and presented the region’s accomplishments for January to October 2022. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the different handlers and consumers, particularly in the monitoring of their product stewardship activities.

In addition, he encouraged the stakeholders to coordinate with FPA provincial officers, especially if they were planning to conduct an activity in their respective areas.

Mr. Rodny P. Conda, the Provincial Officer of FPA-Masbate, discussed the updates on the laws and the latest issuance of the FPA. He emphasized the following points:

• MC No. 20 s. 2022 – Processing to operate as dealer, dealer-repacker, area distributor, institutional user (plantation), pest control operator, and mango contractor and warehouses registration certificates at Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Regional Field Units (RFUs)

• MC No. 23 s. 2022 – Suspension of existing product registrations and license of handlers using the “Spinning Palanggana” Method in fertilizer production and temporary non-acceptance of new and renewal applications for license and registration of fertilizers derived from the said method

• MC No. 26 s. 2022 – Revocation of the Memorandum Circular No. 08 Series of 2022 (Acceptance of Laboratory Test Results for Registration and Quality Monitoring of Fertilizer and Pesticide Products)

• MC No. 27 s. 2022 – Procedures on the submission of samples for fertilizer product registration (New and Renewal)

• MC No. 28, s. 2022 – Weighing of stocks before acceptance

• MC No. 33, s. 2022 – Notice on the use of the Fertilizer Regulations Division (FRD)’s revised application and report forms

PO Conda also gave a tour on the FPA website, especially in finding the laws and memorandum issuances, and other new features.

Afterward, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office V Rice Program Technical Staff, Ms. Ladylyn Nebrea, informed the stakeholders of the updates on the fertilizer discount voucher (FDV) program and walked them through the budget and area target for the program. She also mentioned the provinces without DA’s accredited merchants as well as its requirements.

RO Atole later pointed out the role of FPA in the implementation of FDV, particularly in the monitoring of the quality of fertilizer through random weighing, sample collection for laboratory analysis, as well as the weekly fertilizer price and stock inventory. ###

MALABOG, PAQUIBATO DISTRICT, DAVAO CITY | NOVEMBER 30, 2022 – Twenty-two (22) aspiring dispensers participated in the training on the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) of fertilizer and pesticide (F/P) at Brgy. Hall, Brgy. Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City last November 24, 2022.

ASD training is a prerequisite in securing a license provided by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to operate as a dealer of fertilizer and pesticide (F/P) products and aims to train store owners/proprietors, Individual Business Owners (IBOs) on the proper dispensing of the products.

Provincial Officer (PO) Cheery B. Agrade started the program by giving an overview of the training and highlighted the regulations of the FPA, its mandates, regulatory processes, and penalties for violations.

During the training, PO Rustom Gain Tanduyan discussed the proper handling, packaging, and storage of fertilizers, while PO Louie Palarao briefed the participants on soil, fertilizer, and plant growth. In addition, PO Junette A. Cano talked about pesticide poisoning and its management.

Moreover, Syngenta Product Stewardship Manager Catherine Sumagaysay explained the topics about the safe handling of pesticides and the rest of the technical aspects, such as Mode of Action (MOA) Classification, IRAC, HRAC, and FRAC.

To gauge the participant’s understanding and learning during the training, they were evaluated through a series of pre-test and post-test, which will be used as the basis for qualification to apply for ASD licenses (ID) as well as their dealer and repacker licenses, making their way to become FPA’s Accredited Safety Dispensers.###

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE | November 30, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Provincial Officer (PO) Rustom Gain Tanduyan served as a resource speaker during the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training, held at Herobel Hometel, Tagum City, Davao del Norte last November 25, 2022.

PO Tanduyan discussed two (2) of the four modules of PhilGAP (Environmental Management and the Worker’s Health, Safety, and Welfare). 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 non-food agricultural products” (Republic Act No. 10611).

The discussion emphasized the safe and responsible use of agricultural pesticides to minimize serious risks to health and the environment. PO Tanduyan reminded the farmers of the importance of proper disposal of the empty pesticide container using the “Empty Pesticide Container Triple-Rinsing”, wearing of PPEs during usage, and the importance of reading the pesticide label information.

In addition, PO Tanduyan briefed the participants on first aid management in case of accidental poisoning, Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), and the Re-entry Period.

DA RFO-XI PhilGAP Team and FPA RFU-XI brought the said training to 30 durian farmers from Davao Del Norte, Davao De Oro, and Davao Oriental.###

MARAGUSAN, DAVAO DE ORO | November 22, 2022 – Fifty (50) vegetable farmers from the different barangays in the municipality of Maragusan participated in the training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) during the Araw ng Maragusan last November 22, 2022 at the Agri Trade Fair Grounds, Brgy. Poblacion, Maragusan, Davao de Oro.

The said GAP training emphasized the fertilizer and pesticide proper application, disposal of empty pesticide containers, as well as the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS), and aimed to update and enhance the awareness and knowledge of the Vegetable Farmers on the Good Agricultural Practices from their current conventional type of farming which technically is not appropriate.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Provincial Officer Rustom Gain Tanduyan Tanduyan served as the resource speaker and discussed the two (2) modules of PhilGAP in Environmental Management and the Worker’s Health, Safety, and Welfare.

During the discussion, PO Tanduyan talked about the proper use and handling of agricultural inputs, the proper wearing of PPEs, and the importance of pesticide label information, including first aid management in case of accidental poisoning. He also mentioned the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), Re-entry Period, Empty Pesticide Container Triple-Rinsing, Disposal, and Cocktailing of Pesticides.

Mr. Tanduyan also explained the reasons for the fertilizer price hike and introduced the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) program as an alternative way to lessen the dependency on commonly used chemical fertilizers and give enough balanced nutrients for plant growth. 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.

In addition, PO Tanduyan warned the participants to be vigilant about the proliferation of fake fertilizers and pesticides and to only patronize legit FP products from FPA-Licensed stores.

Through the partnership with the Maragusan Agriculture Service Office (MAGSO), FPA Davao de Oro looked forward to another series of training in the Municipality since Maragusan is one of the major sources of local vegetables and the farmers, as well as the barangay technicians, should be trained on the importance of GAP to ensure that all local commodities sold in the market are in accordance to GAP and food safety standards. ###

DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR | November 30, 2022 – Provincial (PO) Officer Imelda Rasay participated again in a radio program aired last November 18 on DXKL 97.5 Radyo Astig as part of FPA’s commitment in providing knowledge-based awareness on fertilizer and pesticide products and handlers.

On its fifth installment, the program focused on the FPA’s regulations on License to Operate (LTO) as handlers, as well as on the product registration process of fertilizers and pesticides in the Philippines.

PO Rasay highlighted Section 9 of the P.D. 1144 (FPA) which states that “no pesticides, fertilizers, or other agricultural chemicals should be exported, imported, manufactured, formulated, stored, distributed, sold, or offered for sale, transported, delivered for transportation or used unless it has been duly registered with the FPA”. In addition, she emphasized that no person should be engaged in the business of exporting, importing, manufacturing, formulating, distributing, supplying, repacking, storing, commercially applying, selling, or marketing any pesticides, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemicals except under a license issued by the FPA.

This 1-hour information drive of FPA on the regulatory policies on fertilizers and pesticides is ongoing on a regular time slot every 2nd Friday of the month on DXKL 97.5 Radyo Astig in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

The said radio program was co-sponsored by the United Top Agro Products and was also live-streamed on General Trade Manager Mr. Chito Eltagonde’s Facebook account. ###