TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL | August 30, 2022 – Thirty (30) participants from different municipalities in the Province of Bohol attended the Accredited Safety Dispensers (ASD) training on August 24, 2022, held in Reynas the Haven and Gardens, Tagbilaran City.

ASD training is one of the requirements for the License to Operate (LTO) as a dealer. It 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.

Regional Officer (RO) Arnulfo L. Arausa, Jr. gave an overview of the training, and emphasized the important roles of an ASD in maintaining the quality of the needed inputs and providing helpful information to farmers regarding fertilizers and pesticides’ effective and efficient use.

During the morning session, Provincial Officer (PO) Andy Cornell Bornillo talked about the Agency’s mandate and the regulations governing the fertilizer and pesticide industries. While soil, fertilizer, and plant growth were discussed by Ms. Adoracion Dela Cruz – Chief of DA-APCO Bohol laboratory services. Meanwhile, PO Sunday Flores explained the fertilizer, soil conditioners/amendments, specialty fertilizers, and plant growth promoters. Finally, Mr. Robert Leano, Area Manager of Atlas Fertilizer Corporation, shared inputs about fertilizer handling and storage.

In the afternoon session, RO Arausa shared the general information on pesticides. While PO Jesus Muring discussed pesticide safe handling, storage, and transport. Moreover, Ms. Lyra Pangan Adlaon, R.N., discussed the topic on pesticide poisoning and first aid. Lastly, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concept was discussed by Mr. Ian Egam – DA SAAD Provincial Coordinator.

Towards the end of the activity, FPA Region VII gave out informational materials that would serve as references to the participants. ###