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BICOL | March 18, 2024 – 121 fertilizer and pesticide establishments were inspected during the clean-up drive (CUD) operation conducted by FPA Bicol in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur II on March 11-15, 2024.

Twenty-six (26) dealers in Catanduanes and ninety-five (95) establishments across various municipalities in Camarines Sur II were inspected.

One unlicensed dealer was identified in Catanduanes, while six handlers in Camarines Sur II were discovered operating without a License to Operate (LTO) from the FPA and no trained ASD personnel. The dealers were served with Notice of Violations (NOV) and were required to apply for an FPA license.

To capacitate the dealers on the safe handling of fertilizers and pesticides, they were required to attend an Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training to be conducted on May 15-16, 2024, at San Agustin Pili, Camarines Sur.

The dealers also received cautionary advice against procuring off-specification products from companies facing suspension orders. They were advised to diligently inspect fertilizer bags before accepting deliveries, stressing the importance of utilizing only FPA-registered products to uphold quality and safety standards.

Regional Officer (RO) Mr. Gabriel B. Atole led the operation in Catanduanes along with Provincial Officers (POs) Engr. Christohper M. Nuñez and Mr. Rodny P. Conda. Meanwhile, PO Ms. Rosie T. Malazar, Mr. Winsor L. Nueva, Engr. Cris Legaspi and Engr. Ardon Ryan Nee Estuye conducted the inspection in Camarines Sur II.

The team also visited the Local Government Unit of Virac to discuss updates on establishing a Composting Facility for Biodegradable Waste (CFBW) under the Fortified Organic Fertilizer Development Program (FOFDP). ###

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

KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO | March 08, 2024 – On March 4-6, 2024, the FPA carried out a thorough inspection of dealers’ and fertilizer distributors’ warehouses in General Santos, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato, in an attempt to address the prevalence of underweight fertilizer bags in the market.

Leading the FPA Monitoring Team were Dr. Myer G. Mula, Deputy Executive Director for Fertilizer; Edward Allen Calapatia, National Coordinator-Field Operations; and FPA SOCCSKSARGEN, under the direction of OIC-Regional Officer Maricel P. Tabigue, Provincial Officers Cherubin M. Alonzo, Jennie M. Basilio, and Joey B. Pascua.

Eight major fertilizer handlers namely: Abigail Farm Supply Inc.; Green Gems Farm Supply Corp,; IMBAS Dist. Corp.; JMB Agri Supply; LDA Agri Marketing; Lubaton Mktng. Inc.; Marbel Quality Farm Supply Corp; and RAID Inc. were inspected by the team.

Weighed were 1,306 bags of fertilizer of 11 different brands and grades, including the six major grades (46-0-0, 14-14-14, 21-0-0, 16-20-0, 0-0-60, and 18-46-0). Of these, 897 bags weighed less than the standard 50-kg net weight per bag.

Dr. Mula briefed the representatives of the enterprises on the importance of following the right specs for fertilizers not only with the declared nutrient standards but including the net weight declared on the product label, and the implication of those off-specs and how it can affect not only the fertilizer handlers, but most especially the farmers, as end-users.

Furthermore, he advised the fertilizer handlers to have random weighing every delivery of fertilizer, and report cases of underweight bags to their corresponding suppliers. For more accurate weight measurements, he also recommended to use a well-calibrated electronic weighing scale.

Additionally, Dr. Mula cautioned the business owners to be vigilant against the spread of off-specs fertilizer products (underweight, unregistered, and substandard) in the market.

The ramifications of non-compliance can be extensive, impacting not only the revenue of distributors and dealers but moreover the farmers’ value for money when buying fertilizers. Similarly, since fertilizer recommendations are on a per-bag basis, off-specs fertilizers can have a detrimental effect on the nutrient requirements of plants. Underdosage will have a negative impact on the crop productivity and yield, resulting to low income of farmers.

The monitoring team took note of the issues and concerns raised at the stakeholder’s meetings, these are important inputs to be used in the revision of the Fertilizer Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines (Bluebook). To ensure the integrity of the fertilizer market, Dr. Mula asked the handlers to fully collaborate with the FPA in enforcing these restrictions. The meeting was organized by FPA SOCCSKARGEN, and was held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, on March 4-5, 2024.

The FPA also advises the public, particularly farmers, to weigh fertilizer bags before purchasing them, examine them for physical flaws (such as a ripped or torn sack), and request a replacement if necessary. ###

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

CAGAYAN | March 11, 2024 – In an effort to uphold the agency’s commitment to continuous learning and improvement, five (5) personnel from the FPA Cagayan Valley completed a 40-hour basic training for Pollution Control Officers (PCO’s) via zoom on February 16-20, 2024.

The training was facilitated by SAGE Environmental Consultancy Inc., an accredited training agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB). It consisted of topics such as pollution control and hazardous waste management aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills for proper waste disposal and handling of toxic chemicals.

PCO’s play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses comply with environmental regulations, particularly those related to air, water, and soil pollution. As mandated by various laws including the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, the Solid Waste Management Act of 2003, and the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990, establishments emitting environmental contaminants are required to have certified PCOs overseeing their operations.

During the training, participants were briefed on the regulations outlined in these laws, as well as the procedures for obtaining permits for waste discharges and the associated requirements.

“Napakarami naming natutunan lalong lalo na tungkol sa disposal ng hazardous chemicals. Hindi pala basta-basta iniimbak at tinatapon kailangan pala ng permit kahit yung magtatapon at maghahandle”, said Mr. Henry C. Cayaban, Jr., PO, of Cagayan after passing the post examination.

He added that such training enabled them as field personnel to be knowlegeable on the proper handling of toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, veterinary medicines, and other agricultural chemicals. Mishandling these substances can have serious health and environmental consequences, underscoring the importance of proper training and adherence to best practices.

Also attending the training were FPA Provincial Officers Mr. Noel A. Baliuag, Jr., Mr. Robert V. Salvador, and Mr. Rheymark Credo. Meanwhile, Mr. Leonardo A. Bangad, a Regional Officer, participated in a one-day training session for managing heads, which is a prerequisite for PCO accreditation. ###

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

IGUIG, CAGAYAN | March 06, 2024 – In an effort to promote safety standards and empower dealers, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Cagayan Valley conducted an Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training for dealers and individuals interested in selling fertilizers and pesticides at DA-SCRC in Minanga, Iguig, Cagayan on March 5, 2024.

The training focused on safe handling practices, essential knowledge about fertilizers and pesticides, protocols for poisoning incidents, first aid management, and the laws and regulations governing the sale of these agricultural inputs.

“This training should not be treated only as a requirement for license application but should also be a responsibility to bear for our farmers. You are our partners in technology transfer,” Regional Officer (RO) Mr. Leonardo A. Bangad said during his opening message.

During the session, a participant asked about the significance of bond labels on pesticides, questioning their necessity if all pesticides have the same impact on the target organism. Provincial Officer (PO) Mr. Keith I. Mabanag clarified that bond labels aren’t tailored for the target organism, but rather for the safety of applicators and non-target creatures, particularly mammals.

As stipulated in the Pesticide Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines (Greenbook), bond labels of pesticides were designed to signify their toxicity level to mammals. It is located below the pesticide label. There are four color bonds: red, which is categorized as dangerous; yellow, which is classified as harmful; blue, which means caution; and green, for least toxic. Red-label pesticides were already banned in the Philippines.

The participants were also reminded to be vigilant about the fake, unregistered, and smuggled fertilizer and pesticide products proliferating in the market.

“Always buy from licensed FPA handlers and contact us to verify a product when they have any doubts regarding its authenticity,” PO Mabanag said.

A total of fifty-three (53) participants from different towns in Cagayan and Isabela attended the training. ###

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

LOCOS | March 05, 2024 – 1,157 bags of fertilizers were weighed from 9 warehouses during the intensive inspection conducted by FPA in Region I from February 26-29, 2024, namely:

1. Business Prime Enterprises Incorporation
2. JRT Chemtrade Co. Inc.,
3. Ruiz Agro Farm Supply and GM
4. Bacarra Zanera Irrigators MPCI
5. Gagetan Aramid Agri. Corp
6. Gwyneth’s Agricultural Supply
7. Jedeco Trading Corp.
8. Solid North Marketing Corp.
9. Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc.

The activity aimed to monitor the compliance of handlers to the standard weight of fertilizers per bag at 50 kgs and that the input quality meets regulatory standards. Out of 1,157 bags, 782 were found to be underweight. The team advised the fertilizer owners to perform random weight checks before accepting fertilizers from importers and manufacturers, following the standard 50 kg net weight for fertilizer bags.

Dr. Mula also engaged in discussions with warehouse owners and staff to highlight the adverse effects of underweight fertilizers on agricultural productivity.

“We should ensure the accuracy of fertilizer weights before selling them to the farmers. At the same time, our farmers should also be vigilant when purchasing fertilizers to ensure they meet both weight and quality requirements,” Dr. Mula said.

Deputy Executive Director for Fertilizer (DEDF) Dr. Myer G. Mula, Regional Officer (RO) Mr. Joseph Andre John O. Matinez, and Senior Agriculturist Edward Allen A Calapatia led the activity. ###

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