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ISABELA | May 27, 2022 – Provincial Officer (PO) Noel Baliuag Jr. conducted fertilizer sampling in Mallig and Aurora Isabela last May 25-26, 2022 for the regular monitoring of the quality of fertilizer sold in the region.

Collected samples included locally manufactured fertilizers like vine agro 16-20-0 and 14-14-14, Macotta 14-14-14, and Wil-grow 8-6-8. The samples were processed and packed to be submitted to the FPA Laboratory Services Division (LSD) for analysis. The samples collected will be checked for nutrient content and their labeling.

The month of May is the onset of the planting season in the region for crops like rice and corn. Considering the vast harvest area of 613,121.35 and 432,924.46 hectares allocated solely for rice and corn respectively, the region would need large volumes of fertilizer every year to meet the required amount to supplement the farms. However, with the shortage of fertilizer, especially of 14-14-14 and 46-0-0, the FPA encouraged and strengthened local chemical formulators to aid with the problem.

“It is timely because we are now at the onset of planting season in our region, it is also imperative to monitor the quality of fertilizer being sold so that the nutrient requirement of the soil and the needed nutrient of the plant are met”, PO Baliuag said.

QUEZON CITY | May 30, 2022 – Sixteen (16) fertilizer and pesticide handlers became the latest batch of Accredited Safety Dispensers (ASD) after hurdling the virtual ASD training initiated by the  Field Operations Coordination Unit (FOCU) on May 26, 2022.

Ms. Lourdes Conde and Mr. Jan Paolo Umerez discussed the P.D. 1144 which details the creation of the FPA. They highlighted the powers and functions of FPA in monitoring pesticide and fertilizer handlers.

Provincial Officer Rustom Gain Tanduyan of Regional Field Unit (RFU) 11 tackled the proper fertilizer handling and storage. He focused on characterizing the agricultural inputs and ways of keeping the products in good condition. Provincial Officer Edmar Bundalian of RFU 4 emphasized the proper handling and storage of pesticides. He stressed the importance of a secured storage area for fertilizer to contain harmful leaks, breaks, or corrosion.

Provincial Officer Gary Dela Cruz of RFU 8 emphasized the proper labeling of pesticide products. He pointed out that the correct labeling of chemical products ensures the safety of handlers, personnel, and other surrounding beings.

Mr. Mafren Tolibas of Region 8 warned the participants about the dangers of pesticides. He enumerated several steps in preventing pesticide poisoning, as well as ways in handling an emergency poisoning situation.

After the course, each participant answered a pre and post-test to gauge their understanding and to ensure the learnings imparted to them. ###

May 27, 2022 – FPA Deputy Executive Director (DED) for Fertilizer Myer Mula, visited the Regional Offices of CAR and Central Luzon last May 19-20, 2022 to discuss FPA’s plans and programs for the coming days.

During his visitation to the regions, Dr. Mula tackled the importance of tracking the fertilizer’s country of origin. He explained that the country of origin could be used as the basis for justifying the fertilizer’s local market price. He also shared that FPA is currently working on a coding system to be placed in fertilizer bags for efficient monitoring.

Another suggestion is to organize fertilizer derby by different fertilizer companies. Dr. Mula explained that the derby will be the location for the practice of Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) in partnership with the private fertilizer companies. This will determine the effectiveness of each fertilizer and its cost when BFS is practiced. This suggestion was in response to FPA and the Department of Agriculture’s commitment to alleviating farmers’ burden caused by the rising fertilizer prices.

The FPA Regional Offices of CAR and Central Luzon pledged to heighten the campaign for the BFS Program and to commit to better tracking of fertilizer products.

Dr. Mula also headed the ocular inspection of Swire Agrotech Agricultural Products, Inc. in Baton Wharf, Boton Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Subic, Zambales and the warehouses of Universal Harvester Inc. at Seafront Shipyard, Yara Fertilizer Phils. In Seafront Townsite Corp. and La Filipina Uy Gongco Corp. in MGC Compound in Mariveles, Bataan. The activity aimed to check if the establishments are in compliance to PD 1144 and the availability of fertilizer in the next cropping season. ###

VIRAC, CATANDUANES | May 26, 2022 – Twenty-seven (27) fertilizer and pesticide dealers were inspected during a Clean-Up Drive (CUD) Operation/Enforcement Activity on May 23-24, 2022, in the island province of Catanduanes.

Out of the 27 dealers, FPA Bicol Region found eight (8) unlicensed dealers. The unlicensed dealers were issued with Notice of Violations (NOV) and required to attend the Accredited Safety Dispenser Training which is one of the requirements in securing an FPA license.

On the other hand, licensed dealers were encouraged to apply as fertilizer accredited merchants of the Department of Agriculture to boost the fertilizer discount vouchers program and to ensure the availability of fertilizers in the far-flung areas of Catanduanes. 

During the said enforcement activities, the FPA RFU V personnel also made a courtesy call to the different Local Government Units – Agriculture Offices and distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.

After the two-day CUD, A face-to-face Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training was conducted in Virac, Catanduanes on May 25-26, 2022 to 16 participants. All of the unlicensed dealers with Notice of Violations (NOV) attended the training.

Likewise, the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) program was highlighted as one of the topics discussed during the ASD Training by FPA Bicol Regional Officer Mr. Gabriel B. Atole.

Mr. Atole presented the recommended registered fertilizer for BFS and encourage the dealers to promote the same so that the farmers have an alternative source of fertilizers.

The team was headed by Regional Officer Mr. Gabriel B. Atole, FPA-Cam. Sur and Catanduanes Provincial Officer Engr. Christohper M. Nuñez, FPA-Cam. Norte Provincial Officer Engr. Cris L. Legaspi, FPA-Albay Provincial Officer Mr. Winsor L. Nueva, FPA-Sorsogon Provincial Officer Engr. Ardon Ryan E. Nee-Estuye and FPA-Masbate Provincial Officer Mr. Rodny P. Conda. ###