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CAMARINES SUR | February 28, 2023 – Five (5) out of 53 fertilizer and pesticide dealers were issued with Notice of Violations (NoVs) during the Clean-Up Drive (CUD) operation on February 21-23, 2023, in the province of Camarines Sur.

FPA Bicol Region required the violators to attend the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training this coming March as a pre-requisite to secure a License to Operate (LTO).

Meanwhile, compliant dealers were commended and warned not to purchase products from companies with suspension orders.

In addition, the team conducted an inspection and random weighing of the Accredited Merchants for the Fertilizer Discount Voucher (FDV) program of the Department of Agriculture – National Rice Program to ensure the quality of fertilizers being distributed. FDV program covers subsidies for eligible beneficiaries to ensure quality rice production and food security.

The team is closely coordinating with the DA-RFO5 Rice Program for the implementation of FDV.

Regional Officer (RO) Gabriel B. Atole led the inspection together with Provincial Officers (PO) Christopher Nuñez, Cris Legaspi, Winsor Nueva, Rodny Conda, and Ardon RyanNee-Estuye. ###

ROXAS, ISABELA | February 28, 2023 – One of the licensed dealers in Roxas, Isabela, was issued with Stop Use, Move, Sale (SUMS) order on February 21, 2023, after selling a counterfeit “Brodan” product.

This was verified by Planters Product Incorporated during the inspection conducted by Provincial Officers (PO) Robert Salvador and Rhyemark Credo following instructions to investigate reports of alleged fake product distribution from Regional Officer (RO) Leonardo Bangad.

According to the technical staff of Planters Product Incorporated, original packaging bottles should have ‘MB’ written at the bottom instead of ‘JV.’ These letters are the manufacturer’s code to determine product authenticity.

“Selling counterfeit products could endanger the farmers and put the public at risk. Thus, FPA seriously prohibits product sale in the market,” RO Bangad said.

The team also found an unregistered herbicide product with the brand name “Power Glypo 480 SL” at the store. The said product was sealed and signed by PO Salvador indicating that it should not be moved or opened until the company complied with the registration process.

FPA RFU II will continue to inspect dealers in the region to ensure that the products sold are licensed under FPA. ###

CAGAYAN VALLEY | February 21-23, 2023 – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Region II conducted a province-wide inspection on February 21-23, 2023, to monitor the compliance of fertilizer and agricultural pesticide handlers in Cagayan.

Out of 30 establishments, 16 farm supply stores operated without a license and have not yet attended an Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training. Most owners are beneficiaries of the Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The team educated the handlers on their committed violations and the process of applying for a license to operate (LTO). Those without ASD were strongly advised to attend the training on March 1 and 2, 2023, in Iguig, Cagayan, which is a prerequisite for securing LTO.

“In the meantime, this will serve as a warning for you. You should apply for a license and attend the training before selling,” Provincial Officer Henry Cayaban, Jr. warned one of the dealers.

Moreover, Stop Use, Move, and Sale (SUMS) orders were also issued to Solana West Farmers’ Cooperative (SOWESTFACO) in Ubong, Solana, Cagayan for selling unregistered products like ‘S Killer’ molluscicide and ‘Turbo kill’ insecticide. The said products are manufactured and formulated by Synergi Group Incorporated, which was found unlicensed handler under FPA.

The three-day inspection started from lower Cagayan, which includes the municipalities of Solana, Enrile, and Tuguegarao City, onto the municipalities of Sta. Teresita, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Lallo, Aparri, Abulug, Allacapan and Ballesteros. ###

DAVAO CITY | February 28, 2023 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority – Fertilizer Regulations Division (FPA-FRD) together with FPA Davao Region conducted a series of spot inspections to 11 major fertilizer handlers on February 6-10, 2023, in Davao City and the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.

The said inspection aimed to monitor their compliance with quality, process flow, and safe handling set by the Agency, with which all handlers passed.

FRD also monitored banana plantations to gather sufficient information for the proposal of new guidelines for fertilizer aerial application. This is in line with the concern on the aerial spraying of pesticides in Davao Del Sur raised by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

The team also audited on the FPA Davao Region’s license issuing procedure on the final day of their visit to ensure compliance with P.D. 1144, its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and ISO 9001:2015 standards.

The 5-day visit was spearheaded by Deputy Executive Director for Pesticide Mr. Eric Divinagracia, along with FRD Senior Agriculturist Marlo Deblois, Agriculturist II Mr. Jesson Garcia, FPA Regional Officer Marrisa Napalit, and Provincial Officers Louie Palarao, Cheery Agrade, and Imelda Rasay. ###