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June 5, 2025 | Tuguegarao City – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority – Regional Field Unit II (FPA-RFU II) joined the CropLife Regional Action Network (CRAN) Region II in a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Product Stewardship and Pesticide Resistance Management held at the Pulsar Hotel on June 5, 2025.

The initiative, spearheaded by CropLife Philippines and its member companies, aims to promote the responsible and safe use of crop protection products through education and partnership. The training covered key topics such as pest resistance management (including both insect and herbicide resistance), safe pesticide handling and storage, first aid and poisoning response, and compliance with FPA stewardship reporting requirements.

“This is a milestone for future partnerships,” said Regional Officer Mr. Leonardo A. Bangad. “We hope that activities like this will be sustained for the benefit of our farmers and stakeholders.”

Participants included representatives from CropLife member companies, Provincial Agriculture Offices from Quirino, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Cagayan, as well as the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC).

FPA firmly upholds product stewardship—the idea that everyone involved in the life cycle of fertilizers and pesticides has a role in ensuring they are used safely and responsibly to protect people and the environment. In support of this commitment, the FPA launched the FPA CARES Awards, which recognize outstanding efforts in compliance, advocacy, research, environmental protection, and stewardship during the FPA’s 48th Anniversary.###

Written by: Arwin Cardenas, FPA Regional Field Unit II

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

May 30, 2025 | Quezon City — The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) celebrated its 48th Founding Anniversary with the theme “Smarter Regulations, Nurturing Innovations,” reinforcing its mission to modernize regulatory practices that support a productive, safe, and sustainable agricultural sector in the Philippines.

Held at the FPA Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City, the milestone event highlighted the agency’s drive for regulatory excellence and innovation. The celebration featured the launch of new regulatory initiatives, a presentation of key 2024 accomplishments, and the recognition of valued partners and stakeholders.

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to technical advisory committees, regional enforcement teams, and government partners such as the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) for their continued support in reinforcing the Agency’s mandate and public awareness.

Leaders from major industry organizations, including the Fertilizer Industry Association of the Philippines (FIAP), Crop Protection Association of the Philippines (CPAP), CROPLIFE Philippines, Philippine Integrated Crop Management Association, Inc. (PICMA), and the PMCP Foundation Inc. (PMCPFI), delivered messages of support emphasizing collaborative regulation and innovation.

Leadership voices support for innovation and integrity

In his keynote address, FPA Executive Director Glenn DC. Estrada underscored the transformative role of regulation in national development.

“Let this celebration remind us that regulations should never be a roadblock to progress; they should be the bridges to greater productivity, safety, and sustainability. This is the new FPA—one that regulates with empathy, innovates with purpose, and serves with integrity,” Dir. Estrada said.

Representing Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Assistant Secretary Daniel Alfonso N. Atayde emphasized the importance of integrity and innovation in public service.

“As we move forward, we must remember that real progress is delivered by the people—people who believe in the value of preparation, innovation, and integrity. The success of FPA reflects your collective spirit. It is a story of resilience, evolving with the times, and consistently striving to serve our country better,” expressed ASec. Atayde.

High-ranking Department of Agriculture officials, including Undersecretaries Roger V. Navarro, Christopher V. Morales, Asis G. Perez, and Assistant Secretary Paz J. Benavidez II, reaffirmed their full support for FPA’s science-driven and forward-looking regulatory work.

To close the program, Deputy Executive Director for Pesticide Eric C. Divinagracia delivered a call to action for stronger public-private partnerships, signaling the agency’s continued direction toward inclusive, transparent, and smart regulation.###

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

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), has confiscated thousands of unregistered pesticide and fertilizer products valued at approximately P4 million.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. praised the swift enforcement action, describing it as a clear demonstration of government resolve. “This action clearly demonstrates the resolve of government agencies to carry out the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect our farmers as well as local businesses against these unfair and illicit trade practices,” he said.

The enforcement operation stemmed from a formal complaint received by the FPA, implicating WLEX Company in the distribution of illegal agricultural inputs. The products were recovered from a commercial establishment being used for unauthorized storage and distribution.

Among the seized items were 641 one-liter bottles of Axonic pesticide, 748 one-liter bottles of Sapphire pesticide, 220 one-liter bottles of Chlonil pesticide, four sacks of Welzeb, and multiple variants of the bio-stimulant Nutrinaro SC—5,590 sachets (10g), 345 sachets (50g), and 90 sachets (5g). Authorities also recovered 220 pieces and 800 packs of Norinano Plus (10g), along with three containers of unidentified chemical substances.

According to the FPA, the brands Axonic, Sapphire, Chlonil, and Welzeb are not registered with the agency and are considered illegal.

WLEX is also not licensed to handle pesticide products. Although the company once held a valid certification as a fertilizer importer and distributor, its license is only effective until December 7, 2024. Only one of its products, Norinano Plus Soil Conditioner, remains registered with the FPA until February 4, 2027.

Investigators found that the products had been repackaged locally and falsely advertised as imported, in an apparent effort to mislead buyers.

“We are serious in our campaign against the proliferation of these adulterated and unregistered products that hurt not only legitimate businesses but our farmers and overall farm productivity,” said FPA Executive Director Glenn DC. Estrada. “We will remain vigilant to ensure only legitimate products are sold to our farmers.”

All confiscated items have been turned over to the Department of Agriculture for safekeeping and legal documentation. Investigations are ongoing, and appropriate charges will be filed under existing laws.

The FPA urges farmers and agri-suppliers to purchase only from licensed dealers and to verify products through official FPA Alert Lines. ###

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