DAVAO CITY | September 28, 2026 — The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), through its Pesticide Regulations Division (PRD), partnered with FPA Davao Region to hold a dialogue with banana growers in Davao City on the safe and judicious use of pesticides applied through Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) on September 17, 2026.
The stakeholder activity, held at the World Palace Hotel in Davao City, equipped banana growers with technical and regulatory guidance on using agricultural drones for pesticide application, while giving participants space to share their field experiences, existing practices, and concerns.
FPA Senior Agriculturist Marc Samuel A. Molina walked participants through FPA Memorandum Circular No. 25, Series of 2024, outlining the requirements and guidelines that govern pesticide use through RPAS. The session aimed to sharpen growers’ grasp of the regulatory responsibilities tied to operating agricultural drones for pesticide application.
A partner private organization complemented this with a technical discussion on the Safe and Judicious Use of Pesticides through RPAS, tackling practical considerations in responsible drone use. The presentation stressed the need for sound application practices and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
Another topic discussed was pest and Disease Management in Banana, covering common issues in banana production and corresponding management practices, particularly as they relate to RPAS-based pesticide application.
The activity likewise served as a platform for stakeholder consultation. A structured survey among participating growers captured field-level data on their current practices, experiences, and challenges in using RPAS for pesticide application. Insights drawn from the survey, discussions, and informal exchanges will help FPA better understand on-the-ground realities and inform future regulatory, technical, and capacity-building efforts.
This engagement is part of FPA’s ongoing push to promote the safe, judicious, and responsible use of pesticides and emerging agricultural technologies. By staying closely engaged with agricultural stakeholders and grounding its initiatives in field-based insights, FPA continues to strengthen its regulatory and technical interventions to support agricultural productivity and protect farmers, farm workers, consumers, and the environment.
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Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team
Writer: Xavier Albert B. Cendaña, Science Research Specialist II