Davao Oriental | July 25, 2022 – 37 participants from the different municipalities of Davao Oriental attended the Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training on July 21, 2022, at Rexy Gel’s Place, Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental. 

The activity was spearheaded by Regional Officer (R.O.) Marrisa G. Napalit. She also gave an overview of the training and stressed the importance of obtaining an ASD license. 

Provincial Officer (P.O.) Ms. Junette A. Cano highlighted the Agency’s mandate, regulatory policies, processes, and penalties for violations. “When violations are discovered, appropriate actions ranging from issuance of a warning letter to administrative action, such as the compulsion to attend a seminar to the imposition of fines or cancellation of product registration and/or licenses will be taken,” Ms. Cano said. 

P.O. Rustom Gain Tanduyan shared with the participants the proper handling, packaging, and storage of fertilizers.

Proper storage of fertilizer is important to:

• avoid losses
• keep fertilizer in good shape
• maintain the physical and chemical quality that is acceptable to farmers/end-users

Moreover, the following tips can be followed for the proper handling of fertilizers:

• When disembarking from the boat/ferry, do not allow the use of hooks to lift the fertilizer bags. Instead, use nets, pallets, or manual off-loading.
• Bags should be carried with fragility. Using a cart, trolley or wheelbarrow is a safer way of handling bagged fertilizer.
• Do not drop the bag. It might result in product loss and additional repacking costs.
• Do not drag the bag. It might damage or produce holes in the bag. Do not drag the bag by its ears. It might over-stretch the fibers and break (Accredited Safety Dispenser Manual)

On the other hand, P.O. Louie Palarao discussed soil fertilizer and plant growth, while P.O. Cheery Agrade talked about pesticide poisoning and its management. 

Lastly, Syngenta Product Stewardship Manager Ms. Catherine Sumagaysay explained the safe handling of pesticides.

FPA Davao Region also gave out informational materials such as Gabay sa tamang paggamit ng abono at pestisidyo to the participants for additional references. ###

Source: Accredited Safety Dispenser training manual