CAMALIG, ALBAY | August 19, 2022 – FPA Bicol conducted an Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) training to 28 participants held at Albay Provincial Agriculture Office (APAO), Cabangan, Camalig, Albay on August 17-18, 2022.

During her welcome message, OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Rosalinda B. Belodo said, “ASD training is essential to dealers for them to have a knowledge on fertilizer and pesticide products that they are selling to the farmers.”

FPA Bicol Regional Officer Gabriel B. Atole introduced the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to the participants and briefly discussed the reasons behind the fertilizer price hike. He also emphasized the role of ASD personnel as frontline to farmers purchasing fertilizer and pesticide products.

The topics discussed by the Provincial Officers (POs) during the first day were all about pesticides: General Information on Pesticides and its Label, Pesticide Safe Handling, Storage and Transport, Pesticide Poisoning and First Aid, Understanding Integrated Pest Management Concept, and Insecticide Resistance Management. Furthermore, on the second day, the topics were about fertilizers: Soil, Fertilizer, and Plant Growth, Types of Fertilizer and Plant Growth Promoters, Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) Program, and Fertilizer Handling and Storage. 

The licensing requirements and good housekeeping were also discussed so that the dealers can prepare the license applications and comply with the FPA good housekeeping requirements during the inspection of FPA personnel. 

The team reminded the dealers to purchase only FPA registered fertilizer and pesticide products from FPA-licensed handlers. Also, the participants were informed of the fake circulating specifications of fertilizers. In case of doubt about their purchased fertilizer and pesticide products, they can contact the assigned Provincial Officer in their area and visit the FPA and FPA Region V facebook page for more information.

Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) refers to an individual who attended the 2-day training conducted by FPA and passed the examinations administered by the Regional Field Units (RFUs). They must be present at the store during business hours to properly dispense fertilizer and pesticide products to farmers and supervise, advise, and assist buyers on the safe handling and storage of agricultural inputs.

The participants were dealers from Albay who complied with the previously issued Notice of Violation (NoV) and dealers from Sorsogon and Camarines Sur. 

The team was headed by Regional Officer Mr. Gabriel B. Atole, FPA-Albay Provincial Officer Mr. Winsor L. Nueva, FPA-Cam. Sur and Catanduanes Provincial Officer Engr. Christohper M. Nuñez, FPA-Cam. Norte Provincial Officer Engr. Cris L. Legaspi, FPA-Masbate Provincial Officer Mr. Rodny P. Conda, FPA-Sorsogon Provincial Officer Engr. Ardon Ryan E. Nee-Estuye and Regional Staff Ms. Rosie T. Malazar. ###