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NUEVA VIZCAYA | May 26, 2022 – In response to the poisoning cases reported last April, FPA Cagayan Valley conducted seminars on responsible use of agricultural pesticides and mental health briefing to more than 150 vegetable farmers of Nueva Vizcaya on May 17-19, 2022.

FPA Team, consisting of Regional Officer (RO) Leonardo Bangad and Provincial Officer (PO) Rosel Anne Labucay, discussed the safe and judicious use of pesticides, poisoning signs and symptoms, first aid management, and mental health management briefing.

In their discussion, they highlighted the proper labeling of pesticide, applying suggested dosage, observing pre-harvest interval and using of proper personal protective equipment.

“We must value our lives. We should protect ourselves as we protect our crops. Always remember that every problem has its solution,” RO Bangad advised during his discussion.

Back in April, FPA Cagayan Valley received a poisoning case report from the National Poison Management and Control Center. In addition, the Veterans Regional Hospital recorded 10 poisoning cases for the year. PO Roselle Anne Jose conducted the investigation. After the investigation, FPA Cagayan Valley proposed and planned the seminar.

The activity was in partnership with the Municipal Government of Kasibu headed by Juliet Columbos, and two chemical companies, Bayer Philippines and Envireau Pacific Inc. Also present during the activity are officials from the barangays of Bua, Alloy, and Watwat, Kasibu who expressed their gratitude towards FPA for the seminars.

The participants assured that they will keep in mind and practice the learnings they gathered during the 3-day activity. ###

Sources:

Veterans Regional Hospital, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

National Poison Management and Control Center

ILOILO CITY | May 25, 2022 – Thirty-seven (37) representatives of the fertilizer and pesticide industry in Western Visayas created an association to coordinate with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) on May 20, 2022 at Manduriao, Iloilo City, Iloilo.

The association would be supporting and expanding on FPA’s programs on farmers’ training, disposal of empty pesticide containers, recognition of compliant dealers and distributors, and promote mutual respect and harmonious relationship with other businesses.

The officers of the association would be:

• President – Ricky Sazon of Leads Agri
• Vice President – Arvin Pelegrino of FMC Agro
• Secretary – Kevin A. Lindres of FMC Agro
• Treasurer – Frankniel E. Billones of Bayer CropScience
• Auditor – Angelo Alpasan of TagChem
• Information Officers – Mr. Renato Tabanag of Atlas Fertilizer Corp. and Mr. Rey Anthony Oloroso of Syngenta Phils.

FPA Western Visayas also shared the agencies policies, plans and programs. Provincial Officer Francis Felimon Villamon outlined the agency’s primary functions. In addition, he presented the FPA website to the attendees.

Regional Officer Noel Negre highlighted PD 1144, field unit mandates, and current issues. Further, he described FPA’s participation in the execution of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy Program and OneDA’s program intervention to address the rising cost of fertilizer.

Provincial Officer Ryan Gelladula gave a presentation on the contents of the Bluebook. He stressed the correct procedures for product registration, labeling requirements, third-party authorization, fertilizer movement, supply and quality product standards, and data.

Provincial Officer Raymond Alfor introduced the Greenbook and focused on product registration, the purpose of registration, data requirements for registration, grounds for denial of registration, the obligation of registrants and labeling requirements, product stewardship and responsible care, policy guidelines on product stewardship and disposal of pesticide waste, post-registration activities, and compliance in monitoring stewardship.

Relative to issued FPA’s Memorandum Circulars (MC), Provincial Officer Emmanuel Barrida discussed MC No.16 series of 2022, MC No.1 series of 2020, MC No.17 series of 2018, MC Nos. 11, 12 & 13 series of 2017, and MC No.5 series of 2008.

With the members of the association better-equipped with FPA’s policies, plans and programs, the association is expected to coordinate better with the agency and manifest its agreement.  ###

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO | May 24, 2022 – Thirty-one (31) fertilizer and pesticide dealers were randomly inspected during a Clean-Up Drive (CUD) Operation on May 16-18, 2022, in the municipalities of Mamburao, Sta. Cruz, Sablayan, Calintaan, Rizal, Magsaysay and San Jose.

Out of the 31 dealers, FPA RFU IV-A found seven unlicensed dealers. The unlicensed dealers were oriented on the rules and regulations governing the handling and selling of these agricultural inputs. The FPA team also gave them a checklist of requirements and application forms.

Moreover, one dealer was found to be in possession of 67 packs of 100g unregistered fertilizer product. As a result, a Stop Sale, Stop Use, Stop Move, and Hold (SUMS) order was issued to the dealer for violating Section 8 and 9 of Presidential Decree No. 1144. On the other hand, compliant dealers were commended and encouraged to be partners of FPA in ensuring the safety of the fertilizer and pesticide users.

After a three-day CUD, the FPA RFU IV conducted a face-to-face Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training in San Jose on May 20, 2022, with 45 participants attending the event. 25 of the 45 participants are new dealers.

Mr. Engracio “Bong” Baral of Savers Alliance Trading, Corp. was invited and served as one of the Resource Speakers of the said training.

The FPA team was headed by Ms. Suzettie Alcaide, Supervising Agriculturist for FPA-RFU IV, and assisted by Ms. Georlene Orbista, Agriculturist II for Batangas, Mr. Mark Nicky Larga, Agriculturist II for Laguna and Marinduque, Mr. Allan Jade Rojo, Agriculturist II for Cavite and Mr. Froilan Bañaga, Agriculturist II for Occidental Mindoro. ###

Quezon City | May 23, 2022 – On May 12-13, 2022, the Laboratory Services Division (LSD) underwent a second remote surveillance assessment conducted by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB). The PAB assesses the competency in carrying out tests, inspections, measurements, and calibrations of local laboratories on international standards. The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard specifies the general requirements for laboratories’ competence, impartiality, and consistent operation.

The PAB technical assessment team, led by Ms. Mina A. Mercado and members Ms. Fe Concuelo Q. Natarte, Mr. Dave P. Briones, and Ms. Leah C. Dajay, reviewed and assessed the technical competencies of LSD personnel, documentation, and implementation of the laboratory’s Quality Management System (QMS) based on the requirements of the aforementioned standard.

The two-day assessment involved the evaluation of the technical competence of LSD personnel through laboratory analysis witnessing, the validity of test methods, traceability of the testing, quality assurance of data and the testing environment, and suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test equipment.

Last September 2019, FPA-LSD obtained its initial ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation and successfully transitioned to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 during the first surveillance visit in February 2021. With the laboratory’s consistent implementation of its management system, the laboratory was again recommended for continued accreditation with its accredited scope subject to the submission of corrective actions to the raised nonconformities during the assessment.

Meanwhile, LSD continues to pursue its mandate of assisting the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority in setting regulatory standards by conducting and providing reliable and accurate laboratory tests on fertilizer, pesticide, and other agricultural products for quality assurance.  ###