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CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (CAR) | March 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) CAR provided a series of Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training for 224 individuals in the first quarter of 2023.

Led by Regional Officer (RO) Rogelio Tanguid, FPA CAR trained 43 incubatees of the Benguet State University–Agri-based Technology Business Incubator Innovation Center (BSU-ATBIIC) on February 20-21, 2023, in the Center’s Training Hall, Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet.

On February 22-23, 2023, the team collaborated with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tuba, Benguet, to train 20 farmers on Good Agricultural Practices and proper dispensing through ASD training. These farmers were from Ligay Abiang Kapangdanan Suyocto Farmers Association and Ligay Multipurpose Cooperative at Ligay, Brgy. Camp One, Tuba, Benguet.

Other sets of trainings were also conducted for 33 officers and members of the San Roque Community Agriculture Cooperative at Sab-atan Hall, ATI-CAR, La Trinidad on February 23-24, 2023, and 12 participants from seven (7) establishments at Benguet Provincial Capitol on February 27-28, 2023.

In addition, a total of 116 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) were trained in support of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) sustainable livelihood project under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project (CRFPSP).

These trainings were given to 28 participants from Sagubo Multipurpose Cooperative on February 21-22, 2023, at Sagubo, Kapangan, Benguet; 27 participants from Bayanakeo Farmers and Basket Weavers Association at Poblacion, Atok, Benguet last March 7-8, 2023; 27 participants from Bulala Farmers Association last March 3-4, 2023 at Bulala, Sablan, Benguet; and to 34 participants from Tanap Organic Rice Producers at Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet on March 14-15, 2023.

Presidential Decree No. 1144, s. 1977 provides that ASD training shall be conducted to train individuals on proper dispensing to avoid improper distribution, storage, and sale of F/P products. ###

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION | March 2023 – A total of 222 individuals participated in the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and safe and judicious use of fertilizer and pesticides (f/p) training as the FPA CAR continues its collaboration with the local government for the first quarter of 2023.

For the month of March, the team conducted four seminars on the safe and judicious use of f/p products, which served 45 farmers from Balili, Mankayan, 16 from Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet, 28 officers and members from La-Diyang Haven Community, and 25 from Tabaan Sur, Tuba, Benguet.

Meanwhile, 69 participants attended the training on the safe and judicious use of f/p and Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) in a joint effort between FPA and ATI-CAR Regional Training Center.

Moreover, Benguet State University – Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) tapped Regional Officer (RO) Rogelio Tanguid and Provincial Officer (PO) Rowena Billig to discuss the safe and judicious use of f/p products as part of the program in celebrating their 46th anniversary in La Trinidad, Benguet last March 21. A total of thirty-nine (39) participants attended the said event.

Through continuous coordination with partners from the government and private sectors working for agricultural development, the team is committed to reaching out to the public for the safe and judicious use of f/p and to promote BFS. ###

#WEcanbeEquALL: FPA joins call for gender equality and inclusive society – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority continues to advocate gender equality as it joined the month-long observance of the National Women’s Month in March 2023.

With the theme “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society”, the Agency through the FPA Gender and Development Focal Point System (FPA-GADFPS) has once again conducted various activities to promote the empowerment of women, not just in the workplace, but in the community.

The culminating activity was held on 31 March 2023 with the awarding of winners for the Juana Be Fit Challenge and FPA Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) Tournament.

Juana Be Fit Challenge

• Group Winner: Office of the Executive Director (OED)

• Individual Winner (Men): Loinel Jan Daneen O. Maribojoc (PRD)

• Individual Winner (Women): Ricajen T. Datuin (FAD)

FPA Mobile Legends Bang Bang

• Champion: PowerPuff FAD

• 1st Runner Up: OED/FOCU Cuties

Juana Be Fit aimed to encourage a healthy lifestyle among employees by challenging them to achieve desired Body Mass Index (BMI) for a month. It was a team challenge participated by each of the Divisions at the FPA Central Office.

On the other hand, the FPA MLBB Tournament showcased the capabilities of women employees to rise as active players and enthusiasts in related male-dominated fields such as E-Sports. Six teams joined the battle arena including PaLaMID, savageLAB, MLBB-AGENTS, Bis-Daks, OED/FOCU Cuties and PowerPuffFAD.

The agency had earlier joined the International Women’s Day on March 8 through the ‘Serbisyo Para Kay Juana’. During the occasion, OIC Executive Director Julieta Lansangan highlighted FPA’s contribution to building a gender-sensitive community as women take most of the leadership roles in FPA.

“The FPA has always been an active supporter of our national government in its endeavor towards an inclusive society. As such, we can see that most of the Division Chiefs and Supervisors of FPA are women, a proof that not only men can lead, but also women,” OIC Lansangan said.

Other related activities conducted included the promotion of the #WEcanbeEquALL social media campaign as employees used the customized frame in their Facebook profiles; display of campaign banners, cutouts, and posters in visible office areas; Purple Wednesdays (wearing of purple outfits every Wednesdays), and CineJuana (a showcase of movies promoting women rights), among others. ###

DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR | MARCH 31, 2023 – Thirty-three (33) participants from the different provinces in Davao Region attended the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training for fertilizer and pesticide at Ascencia Resto Bar, Lapu-Lapu St., Digos City, last March 24, 2023.

Regional Officer (RO) Marrisa Napalit explained that ASD training aimed to train store owners/proprietors, Individual Business Owners (IBOs) on the proper dispensing of fertilizer and pesticide (f/p) products as part of securing a license to operate.

Moreover, the team discussed the Agency’s mandate, soil, fertilizer, and plant growth. They highlighted the proper handling, packaging, and storage of f/p products and the first-aid management to avoid pesticide poisoning of the handlers.

Afterward, the participants were evaluated through a series of pre-test and post-tests, which will be used as a basis for FPA’s Accredited Safety Dispensers.

The team is headed by RO Marrisa Napalit, Provincial Officer (PO) Imelda Rasay, Rustom Gain Tanduyan, Louie Palarao, and Cheery Agrade. ###

BUGUEY, CAGAYAN | March 31, 2023 – Provincial Officer (PO) Arwin A. Cardenas discussed the Balance Fertilization Strategy (BFS) to 20 rice farm leaders in Buguey, Cagayan, on March 31, 2023, during the briefing on BFS conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (DA-ATI RTC), Region II.

During the discussion, PO Cardenas emphasized the importance of soil analysis. He also explained 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.

BFS was a program initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA) 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 systems, etc.) to attain the maximum potential of farmlands while maintaining soil structure and fertility. Through BFS, FPA and DA aim to lessen the dependency on commonly used chemical fertilizers and give enough balanced nutrients for plant growth.

This activity aims to train farmers with the latest technology in fertilizer management thru BFS and Abonong Swak Technologies. ###

MASBATE CITY, MASBATE | March 27, 2023 – Forty (40) fertilizer and pesticide dealers were inspected during a Clean-Up Drive (CUD) operation on March 20-22, 2023, in the island province of Masbate.

Out of the 40 dealers, FPA Bicol Region issued Notice of Violations (NoVs) to two (2) dealers for operating without Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) personnel in the store. As intervention, they were required to attend the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training.

As stipulated under Presidential Decree No. 1144, FPA requires individuals in the store to attend the ASD training to properly dispense fertilizer and pesticide products and assist farmers in the safe handling and storage of agricultural inputs. It serves as pre-requisite for securing a License to Operate (LTO) as dealer.

Further, the team warned all dealers to avoid purchasing off-specification products from companies with suspension orders and advised them to randomly weigh in fertilizer bags before receiving the products. Through this, farmers will be ensured of safe and quality fertilizer and pesticide products.

To facilitate accreditation and license renewal of dealers with NoVs, FPA Bicol conducted an ASD training in Masbate City on March 23-24, 2023, which was attended by fourteen (14) participants.

Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel Atole led the operation along with Provincial Officers (PO) Rodny Conda, Christopher Nuñez, Rosie Malazar, Cris Legaspi, Winsor Nueva, and Ardon Ryan Nee-Estuye. ###

QUEZON PROVINCE | March 27, 2023 – Nine (9) Notice of Violations (NoVs) were issued to unlicensed f/p dealers during the Clean-Up Drive (CUD) operations conducted by the Regional Field Unit IV from March 21-23, 2023, in Quezon Province.

The team visited seven (7) municipalities: Lucban, Sampaloc, Mauban, San Francisco, Mulanay, Catanauan, Unisan, Macalelon, and Padre Burgos. A total of 23 establishments were visited during the activity.

The violators are willing to comply with the requirements and will attend the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training this coming April in Candelaria, Quezon Province.

CUD is a regular enforcement activity of FPA Regional Field Units to determine whether fertilizer and pesticide handlers and the products they sell comply with existing FPA rules and regulations.

The team is headed by Regional Officer (RO) Suzettie Alcaide, together with Provincial Officers (PO) Edmar Bundalian, Mark Nicky Larga, Georlene Orbista, and Jan Paolo Umerez. ###