Author: ICTSadmin

TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE | NOVEMBER 14, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Provincial Officer Ms. Cheery B. Agrade discussed the safe and proper pesticide management and Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to the 30 local plant growers during the Tagum City Fiesta Fair last November 8, 2022.

During the discussion, PO Agrade highlighted the proper use and handling of agricultural inputs as well as the importance of proper wearing of PPEs during the implementation. She also discussed 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.

In addition, PO Agrade promoted and explained the Balanced Fertilization Strategy, as she also informed the participants of the reasons for the fertilizer price hike. She reminded them to be vigilant about the increasing cases of fake fertilizers and pesticides (F/P) selling in the market and to only patronize authentic F/P products from FPA-licensed stores.

The Tagum City Fiesta Fair was celebrated on November 7-11 at the Rotary Park, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and one of the highlights of the fair was to conduct different lectures and seminars.

The local plant growers who participated in the discussion specialized in ornamentals, landscaping, fruit trees, herbs, and medicinal plants in the city. ###

LIPA CITY, BATANGAS | October 26, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Regional Officer (RO) Suzettie M. Alcaide presented the region’s accomplishment at the 4th quarter Regional Management Committee (RMC) meeting last October 25, 2022, at DA LARES Conference Room, Maraouy, Lipa City, Batangas.

DA CALABARZON OIC Regional Executive Director Milo D. Delos Reyes presided over the quarterly meeting, where eighteen (18) out of the twenty-four (24) member agencies attended. The session focused on the presentation of the region’s accomplishments and 2023 plans and programs.

During the meeting, RO Alcaide reported that the FPA RFU-IV managed to monitor 678 (77% of the target) handlers/establishments and a total of 4,331 products as of September 2022 in the CALABARZON area. Additionally, the CALABARZON team (excluding Rizal) has issued 221 licenses from January to September 2022 and was able to conduct three (3) trainings.

When Director Delos Reyes raised a concern on the list of unregistered foliar fertilizers in the market, RO Alcaide informed the members that FPA has provided the list of handlers with the outstanding suspension to their License to Operate (LTO) as well as their corresponding Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) during the previous RMC meeting and will provide an update regarding their suspension as soon as the information becomes available. Further, she emphasized that the end-users may always check this information on the FPA website to make sure the products are legitimate.

RO Alcaide was accompanied by Ms. Georlene P. Orbista, FPA Provincial Officer of Batangas, in attending the said meeting. ###

LIPA CITY, BATANGAS | October 27, 2022 – A total of forty-five (45) new fertilizer and pesticide dealers in Region IV attended the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training last October 18, 2022, at LARES Conference Hall, LARES Compound, Brgy. Maraouy, Lipa City, Batangas.

The team discussed the FPA governing rules and regulations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), recognition and first aid management of pesticide poisoning cases, soils, fertilizer, safe handling of fertilizer, and good housekeeping. Moreover, Mr. Engracio “Bong” Baral, Operations Manager of Zeal Ecological Nature Corp. (ZENCOR), served as a speaker for general information and safe handling of pesticides.

During the open forum, the team reminded the participants to check the updated list of registered products on the FPA website or contact the provincial officer assigned to the region. When concern regarding the disposal of the empty pesticide bottles surrendered by the farmers was raised, the team highlighted the FPA Memorandum Circular No. 12 s. 2017, stating that the content of their trash bins must be collected regularly by their distributor for proper disposal.

In closing, the Department of Agriculture CALABARZON OIC Regional Executive Director Milo Delos Reyes emphasized the optimum use of both inorganic and organic fertilizers to meet the nutritional needs of the crops while maintaining soil structure and fertility. He also commended the agency for ensuring that only quality fertilizer and pesticide products were in the market.

ASD refers to an individual who attended the training conducted by FPA and passed the examinations administered by the Regional Field Units (RFUs). They must be present at the store during business hours to advise buyers/end-users on the safe use, handling, and storage of fertilizer and pesticide products and ensure that only FPA-registered fertilizer and pesticide products are dispensed.

RO Alcaide spearheaded the training along with Mr. Edmar Bundalian, Allan Jade Rojo, Mark Nicky Larga, and Georlene P. Orbista. ###

MASBATE CITY, MASBATE | October 19, 2022 – Forty-seven (47) mango farmers/growers attended the 1st Mango Contractor’s Training conducted by Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Bicol Region in collaboration with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Masbate and Leads Agricultural Products Corporation on October 19, 2022 at Cherish Resort, JM Robredo Road, Espinosa, Masbate City.

FPA Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel B. Atole introduced to the participants the agency, Presidential Decree 1144, and the regulations governing the mango flower inducer contractors.

To further dive into the discussion, the resource person from Philippine National Police Masbate Provincial Firearms and Explosive Division and Canine Unit PSSG Ralph Jesus S. Huelva enlightened the participants on the regulations governing the acquisition and use of agricultural nitrates as stated in the Republic Act (RA) 9516. Mr. Huelva also sorted out the proper documents, licenses, and permits that the farmers need to handle and use agricultural nitrates.

In addition, Engr. Kent Reynard Muñoz, Mango Focal Person from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Masbate, briefed the participants on the mango industry in Masbate and the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for mango production.

Leads Agri Assistant Vice President for Technical Mr. Sherwin Hermosa discussed plant nutrition, proper use of mango flower inducer, pest and disease management, and pesticide information and classification, as well as the safe and effective use of pesticides.

FPA Provincial Officer (PO) Rodny P. Conda later oriented the farmers on the recognition and first aid management of pesticide poisoning, and the mango contractor licensing requirements.

The mango contractor refers to a person or entities that enter into a contract with a mango grower to service his trees (from flower induction to harvesting) for a fee or on sharing basis. The FPA, as a regulatory agency, regulates the mango contractors in using the FPA-approved flower inducer and issues a License to Operate as a mango flower inducer contractor. Thus, one of the requirements is to attend this training.

To close out the training, RO Atole thanked the different mango stakeholders and emphasized the proper coordination, documentation, and compliance with the different rules and regulations governing the mango contractors. ###