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Davao Oriental | July 25, 2022 – 37 participants from the different municipalities of Davao Oriental attended the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training on July 21, 2022, at Rexy Gel’s Place, Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental. 

The activity was spearheaded by Regional Officer (R.O.) Marrisa G. Napalit. She also gave an overview of the training and stressed the importance of obtaining an ASD license. 

Provincial Officer (P.O.) Ms. Junette A. Cano highlighted the Agency’s mandate, regulatory policies, processes, and penalties for violations. “When violations are discovered, appropriate actions ranging from issuance of a warning letter to administrative action, such as the compulsion to attend a seminar to the imposition of fines or cancellation of product registration and/or licenses will be taken,” Ms. Cano said. 

P.O. Rustom Gain Tanduyan shared with the participants the proper handling, packaging, and storage of fertilizers.

Proper storage of fertilizer is important to:

• avoid losses
• keep fertilizer in good shape
• maintain the physical and chemical quality that is acceptable to farmers/end-users

Moreover, the following tips can be followed for the proper handling of fertilizers:

• When disembarking from the boat/ferry, do not allow the use of hooks to lift the fertilizer bags. Instead, use nets, pallets, or manual off-loading.
• Bags should be carried with fragility. Using a cart, trolley or wheelbarrow is a safer way of handling bagged fertilizer.
• Do not drop the bag. It might result in product loss and additional repacking costs.
• Do not drag the bag. It might damage or produce holes in the bag. Do not drag the bag by its ears. It might over-stretch the fibers and break (Accredited Safety Dispenser Manual)

On the other hand, P.O. Louie Palarao discussed soil fertilizer and plant growth, while P.O. Cheery Agrade talked about pesticide poisoning and its management. 

Lastly, Syngenta Product Stewardship Manager Ms. Catherine Sumagaysay explained the safe handling of pesticides.

FPA Davao Region also gave out informational materials such as Gabay sa tamang paggamit ng abono at pestisidyo to the participants for additional references. ###

Source: Accredited Safety Dispenser training manual

DAVAO ORIENTAL | July 25, 2022 – Twenty-one (21) fertilizer and pesticide handlers were randomly inspected during the Clean-Up Drive (CUD) Operation on July 19-20, 2022, in the Municipality of Davao Oriental. 

Out of 21, one handler was found compliant, while the rest of the handlers were issued with a Notice of Violation (NOV) described as “No FPA License to Operate (LTO) as Dealer and Dealer-Repacker.”

The unlicensed dealers were oriented on the rules and regulations governing the handling and selling of these agricultural inputs. Moreover, they were advised to attend the Agricultural Safety Dispenser (ASD) training on July 21, 2022, in Mati City, Davao Oriental. 

The inspection was headed by Ms. Marrisa G. Napalit and was conducted in the following areas of Davao Oriental:

• Brgy. Calapagan and Brgy. Don Mariano Marcos in the Municipality of Lupon
• Brgy. Taguibo, and Brgy. Don Martin Marundan in the City of Mati
• Brgy. Poblacion in the Municipality of Tarragona
• Brgy. San Ignacio and Poblacion in the Municipality of Manay

Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela Province | July 25, 2022 – FPA Cagayan Valley conducted Clean–Up Drive (CUD) operations in the provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya last July 19-22, 2022.

Out of 55 dealers, 40 were found compliant while 15 were issued with Notice of Violations (NoVs). 13 were from Nueva Vizcaya while 2 were from Isabela Province. The violators were advised to obtain a permit and accreditation from the Agency and attend the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training.

The ASD training is expected to be conducted on July 26-27, 2022 in Nueva Vizcaya and July 28-29, 2022 in Isabela.

Moreover, the team collected 14-14-14 fertilizer samples from Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya for quality checking. The samples were sent to the FPA Analytical Services Laboratory in Quezon City for NPK and moisture content analysis. The results are expected to be released within 20 working days from receipt of the sample.

CUD is a regular enforcement activity in the field to determine whether fertilizer and pesticide handlers and the products they sell to the public comply with existing FPA rules and regulations.

The team also informs the dealers to be vigilant and reiterated that buying of fake and unregistered fertilizers and pesticides are strictly prohibited. ###

LA PAZ, LEYTE | July 22, 2022 – RFU VIII conducted an Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training to 25 farmers last July 14-15, 2022, at La Paz Municipal Agriculture Office. 

Mr. Francis Salvador B. Costas, Regional Officer (RO) of Region VIII, explained the FPA’s mandate. “FPA envisions an improved quality of life through increased farm incomes, productivity, and food production using safe and appropriate fertilizer and pesticide inputs. To achieve this, our Agency implements policies, rules, and programs to ensure that the fertilizers and pesticides sold in the market are safe and at reasonable prices,” Mr. Costas stressed.  

Further, the team discussed to the farmers the safe storage and disposal of fertilizers and pesticides, the recognition of pesticide poisoning and administration of first aid to victims, and the duties of an Accredited Safety Dispenser.

The team stressed the following responsibilities of an ASD to wit:

• advise the buyers/farmers on the safe use, handling, and storage of fertilizer and pesticide products
• keep records of the sale and disposition of agricultural products
• ensure that only FPA-registered products are dispensed
• monitor the business transactions regarding fertilizer and pesticide products

The activity is conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist to encourage farmers to form a cooperative and become fertilizer and pesticide dealers. Additionally, being a member of a cooperative qualifies farmers for the fertilizer voucher program administered by the Department of Agriculture. ###

LEYTE | July 22, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Eric Castañas explained the reasons behind the fertilizer price increase and the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) during the Local Farmers Technicians (LFT) on Integrated Nutrient Management with the emphasis on Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) in rice farming organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) last July 19, 2022, at Villaconzoilo Farm, Jaro, Leyte. 

PO Castañas discussed that 90% of inorganic fertilizers are imported from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, Canada, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Belarus. Only 10% were taken from the country’s local manufacturers.  

Moreover, he presented the reasons for the skyrocketing prices of fertilizer. In his presentation, he highlighted that the global fertilizer crisis is due to the rising costs of fuel, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Department of Agriculture implemented the BFS program as an alternative solution to address the issue. PO Castañas explained that BFS 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. 

He also emphasized the 4Rs in fertilization: Right Source, Right Placement, Right Amount, and Right Rate to help enhance soil health and productivity, prevent the decline in soil fertility, and improve fertilizer availability and costs.

A total of 31 LFTs from the province of Leyte attended the training. ###

BOHOL | July 20, 2022 – FPA Regional Officer (RO) Arnulfo Arausa Jr. and Provincial Officer (PO) Andy Cornell Bornillo conducted random fertilizer sampling at the Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Program Coordinating Office (DA-APCO) last July 15, 2022.

The samples were sent last July 18, 2022 to the FPA Analytical Services Laboratory in Quezon City for NPK and moisture content analyses.

In order to identify whether the fertilizer samples submitted pass the standards, the permissible minimum tolerance of each of the guaranteed nutrient should not be less than 98% and the moisture content should not exceed 2% (Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines).

The fertilizers collected were under the 2022 Community Hybrid Farming Project and the 2022 Corn Project of the Department of Agriculture.

The results are expected to be released within 20 working days from receipt of the sample. ###

Reference: Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines (Bluebook), page 13

DAVAO CITY | July 15, 2022 – FPA Region XI headed by Regional Officer Ms. Marrisa G. Napalit together with Croplife Regional Action Network (CRAN) X President Mr. Lizter Anasco conducted a blended meeting to discuss the updates on the retrieval project of Empty Pesticide Containers (EPC).

During the meeting, Ms. Napalit mentioned that retrieving EPC is not easy since EPC regulation applies to FPA and other regulatory government agencies, such as the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

EPC is considered hazardous waste to the DENR-EMB under R.A. 6969. Hazardous wastes are hereby defined as substances without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic usage and are shipped, transported, or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal into or in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines.

Hazardous wastes shall also refer to by-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction media, contaminated plant or equipment, or other substances from manufacturing operations, and as consumer discards of manufactured products. (R.A. 6969, Sec. 5. h)

To harmonize the said project, Ms. Napalit suggested to create a system composed of Croplife Philippines, FPA, and Local Government Units (LGUs), particularly the City/Municipal Agriculture’s Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

Ms. Napalit included the LGU in this proposal as these LGUs were familiar with the agricultural practices in their localities. This will greatly help maximize the implementation of the EPC retrieval project (pilot project), particularly on the farmer’s level. In addition, FPA and Croplife will also tap with DENR-EMB for other matters, including the legalities of the project.

Once the project becomes successful, this will serve as a game-changer not just in the product stewardship of pesticides but also for the farmer’s awareness, education, and safety.

The meeting was held at Cafe Firenzo, Damosa, Lanang Davao City on July 15, 2022. The meeting was attended by Croplife Philippines members, which include Aldiz, Inc., BASF Phils., Inc., Bayer Philippines, Inc., Inc., C.B. Andrew Asia, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, FMC Philippines Inc., Jardine Distribution, Inc., Monsanto Phils., Inc., Sinochem Crop Protection Phils., Syngenta (Phils.) Inc. and UPL Philippines, Inc. ###

Sources: R.A. 6969 or An Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes, Sec. 5 (h)

Pesticide Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines, pg. 173

GENERAL SANTOS CITY | JULY 18, 2022 – To educate the farmers on the use of agricultural pesticide inputs, South Cotabato FPA-Provincial Officer (PO) Jennie M. Basilio conducted a lecture on Proper Safe Use, Handling, and Storage of Agricultural Pesticides to sixteen (16) corn farmers from General Santos City and Sarangani Province on July 13, 2022. 

PO Basilio emphasized in her lecture the health risk associated with pesticide residues in food. “Pesticides are toxic,” she stressed. 

To minimize these health risks, she tackled the Pesticide Management Guidelines for the Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides which include:

• using of FPA registered products from FPA registered outlets/establishments
• importance of reading, understanding, and following the directions found on the product label
• wearing of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
• triple rinsing of empty pesticide containers after use
• recording of farm activities, fertilizer, and pesticide usage and applications, and the product used

Moreover, to prevent residues in vegetables and fruits, Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) and the right dosage, which contained in the pesticide label, must be observed. PHI is the minimum time between the last pesticide application and when the crop can be harvested. 

The activity was conducted in coordination with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XII-Regulatory Division during the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) for corn training at Venue 88, Mabuhay, General Santos City. ###