Author: ICTSadmin

NAGA CITY | May 18, 2022 – The FPA Bicol Region met with 30 dealers and handlers last May 17, 2022 for the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting.

Ms. Camille-Mai Valles, Information Officer of the Planning, Management and Information Division (PMID) discussed the updates on the laws and latest issuances of the FPA. She emphasized on the following points:

• MC no. 19 s. 2022 – Temporary suspension on new applications for Pesticide Regulations Division’s (PRD) Product Registration, Experimental Use Permits, and Licenses
• MC no. 12 s. 2022 – Cut-off time in processing of accreditation
• MC no. 10 s. 2022 – Notice on the use of 2022 revised application and report forms of the Fertilizer Regulations Division (FRD)
• MC no. 08 s. 2022 – Acceptance of Laboratory test results for registration and quality monitoring of Fertilizer and Pesticide Products
• DC No. 1, s. 2022 – General Guidelines on the registration of new fertilizer products with required bioefficacy trial terminal report

Ms. Valles also highlighted the improved FPA website. She gave a tour on where to find manuals, laws and issuances, and other new features.

Provincial Officer Engr. Cris Legaspi also talked about the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS). In his discussion, he highlighted that the reason for the fertilizer price hike are COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia War, rising fertilizer demand in the international market and the rising price of fuel. He explained that BFS would reduce fertilizer importation as the program reduces dependency on imported fertilizer. He suggested a few other alternative fertilizers in his presentation like bio-stimulant, controlled release fertilizer, foliar fertilizer, inoculant, plant growth regulator and soil conditioner.

Regional Officer Gabriel Atole opened the floor for issues and concerns raised by the stakeholders. Instead, he encouraged everyone to work better, providing honest and disciplined interactions. ###

NAGA CITY | May 17, 2022 – Ninety-five (95) farmers benefited from FPA Bicol Region’s lecture on the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) Program last May 16, 2022. This event was part of the Department of Agriculture’s AgriFiesta 2022.

Senior Research Specialist of Regional Soils Laboratory Jennis Reblando discussed the importance of soil sampling. He emphasized that soil sampling helps in determining the right nutrients needed by the soil and crop to be planted.

Aileen Babelonia, the Agriculturist II of Regional Soils Laboratory, elaborated on fertilizer recommendations. She focused on proper fertilizer application and its effect on the crop and the soil. She emphasized the 4Rs of applying fertilizer – right amount, right source, the right placement, and right rate.

FPA Provincial Officer Engr. Christopher Nunez talked about BFS. He explained that BFS is one of OneDA’s program to address the rising prices of fertilizer. The fertilizer price hike is attributed to various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply constraints in the international market, fuel hike, and the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict. Engr. Nunez reiterated that the program would help improve soil health and lessen dependency on inorganic fertilizer.

Seven (7) fertilizer companies who partnered with DA and FPA for the event were also given time to share their opinion on BFS. They were Aldiz Omc., Bioprime Agri Industries Inc, Far Agro, Grandia Agromarketing Corp, MT Bustarga Agri-Supply, Vast Agro Solutions Inc., and Yara International.

In her speech, Regional Technical Director Luz Marcelino emphasized that “The BFS Program is part of OneDA initiatives. The goal of BFS is to mitigate the effect of rising fertilizer prices. It is a new approach to reduce production cost while maintaining high yields.”

The orientation ended with awarding a certificate of appreciation to the speakers and a raffle of freebies and prizes from the partner fertilizer companies. ###

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE | May 20, 2022 – As part of the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month celebration, DA RFO-9 organized a Rice Information Caravan on 18 May 2022 at Godod, Zamboanga del Norte. One hundred rice farmers from the several barangays of the municipality attended the event.

The goal of the caravan was to enlighten and update the farmers on the Department’s many initiatives, programs, and services that they might use during the current and future growing seasons.

During the caravan, FPA Zamboanga Peninsula through its Provincial Officer Dionn Mark Bohol explained to the farmers the reasons attributed to the high prices of fertilizer and the current scenario of the fertilizer industry. He also encouraged farmers to adopt the Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS) and not rely much on using traditional fertilizer to maximize yield while minimizing input cost.

Various IEC materials and biological control samples were also distributed to the farmers present.

Present during the event were the DA Region 9 Farmer Director Leonardo Caparida, who led the activity, DA 9 Rice Action Officer Evelyn Academia, and Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer of Zamboanga del Norte George Vallente, RCPC, ILD, DA 9 Information Team, and Municipal Agriculturist & Staff.

Several DA-affiliated organizations, such as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), and Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), were also present and updated the farmers on their programs and services. ###

Photo courtesy: DA Zampen

DAVAO CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE | MAY 19, 2022 – The Pesticide Regulatory Division (PRD), headed by Deputy Executive Director (DED) Eric Divinagracia, visited three (3) pesticide handlers in Davao Region. Regional Officer Marrisa Napalit, together with the Provincial Officers Louie Palarao and Cheery Agrade led the PRD team to a pesticide repacking plant located in Brgy. Mahayag, Bunawan District, Davao City and two pesticide extrusion plants in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

The pesticide plants and chemical mixing facilities were found compliant with the Good Housekeeping, industrial hygiene, safety and security, and environmental protection standards and protocols set by FPA.

DED Divinagracia also highlighted the importance of documenting each processes as compliance with the ISO standards.

The companies committed to continue practicing the proper protocols and abide with the FPA standards as recommended by the audit team. ###