FPA SOCCKSARGEN inspects 12 South Cotabato handlers in 3-day clean-up drive operation

Written by Joey B. Pascua, Agriculturist II, Jennie M. Basilio, Agriculturist II   l  Published: 29 June 2022

SOUTH COTABATO | June 24, 2022 – Twelve (12) FPA-licensed fertilizer and agricultural pesticide handlers were inspected by the FPA SOCCSKSARGEN during its 3-day Clean-Up Drive (CUD) Operation on June 14-16, 2022 in the Municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Polomolok, Banga, and City of Koronadal, South Cotabato. Sixty-nine (69) fertilizers and 119 pesticides products were randomly checked.

Out of the 12 handlers inspected, two (2) were found in possession of unregistered fertilizer and agricultural pesticide products. As a result, FPA issued Stop Use, Move, and Sale (SUMS) Order to Southside Agri-Products Trading and JS Agri Supply for violating Section 8 and 9 of Presidential Decree No. 1144.

On the other hand, compliant handlers were commended by FPA for implementing FPA standards.

Warehouses and mixing stations of Lapanday Foods Corporation and DOLE Philippines were also monitored. Both were found compliant with FPA standards and good housekeeping practices such as tidiness, good product storage and stacking, use of appropriate PPEs by the personnel, existence of emergency shower and eye wash stations, proper waste disposal and availability of spill kits, fire extinguishers, good floor construction, good ventilation, and presence of safety and warning signs. The station workers also practice triple rinsing.

Moreover, FPA collected prices and inventories of traditional fertilizers and agricultural pesticides and monitored newly registered fertilizer products in the area. This is to assure the farmers of adequate supplies of agricultural inputs in the province.

The three-day activity was spearheaded by FPA Provincial Officer (PO) for South Cotabato, Jennie Basilio together with Sarangani PO Joey Pascua, Sultan Kudarat PO Cherubin Alonzo, North Cotabato PO Maricel Tabigue, and supervised by FPA Regional Officer Alita Bornea.

The operation was conducted to enforce safety and regulatory practices, and also to strengthen the monitoring and inspection of fertilizer and pesticide handlers, products, and warehouses. ###