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January 11, 2024 | Quezon City – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Training Association (FATA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the renewed partnership in the conduct of accreditation training programs on January 9, 2024, at FPA Bldg., BAI Compound, Visayas Ave., Quezon City.

FATA is composed of the Philippine Association of Certified Pesticide Applicators (PACPA), PMCP Foundation Inc., the Philippine Association of Entomologists, Inc. (PAE), the Philippine Association of Professional Fumigators, Inc. (PAPFI), and the Kapisanan ng mga Pest Control Operators sa Pilipinas, Inc. (KAPESCOPI).

The MOU provides the specific responsibilities and functions between the two parties in conducting training and education for FPA certification and accreditation programs.

Such program covers the accreditation of Responsible Care Officers (ARCO), Certified Agricultural Pesticide Applicator (CPA) Exterminators and Fumigators and Fertilizer and Pesticide Researchers.

In 2023, FATA conducted 26 training sessions benefitting 635 individuals seeking accreditation as recognized practitioners in the field. A total of 551 individuals took the exams for accreditation as pesticide applicators and care officers. Results revealed that 67.50% passed the CPA Fumigator while 68.63% passed the CPA Exterminator. Meanwhile, 87.34% passed the ARCO exam (Table 1).

Table 1. Training conducted and exam participants count by the FATA

Type of Training	Number of Trainings Conducted	Number of Individuals Trained	Number of Examinees	Number
				Passed	Removal	Failed
Agri CPA – Fumigator	8	263	240	162	28	50
Agri CPA- Exterminator	7	157	153	105	15	33
ARCO	7	170	158	138	16	4
F/P Researcher	4	45	–	–	–	–
Total	26	635	551	405	59	87

Moreover, FATA spearheaded 19 symposiums on regulations set by FPA and pest control and management. These initiatives are aimed at discussing the pest management situation in the Philippines and the programs created by the FPA and the Department of Agriculture concerning the usage of agricultural chemicals which benefitted 1,457 researchers, care officers, and applicators (Table 2).

Table 2. Symposiums and participant count of FATA

FATA	Number Conducted	Number of Attendees
PMCPFI/PACPA	9	410
PAE	4	577
PAPFI	4	417
KAPESTCOPI	2	53
Total	19	1.457

For 2024, individuals intending to either apply or renew their existing accreditation should choose a schedule at https://bit.ly/3tMVEUS. Afterwhich, they have to coordinate with the FATA to reserve a training slot and submit necessary training requirements. ###

  Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
  Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team