SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION | September 12, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority Regional Field Unit (FPA RFU) I conducted series of random inspections in 47 fertilizer and pesticide handlers in the Province of La Union last September 6-9, 2022.

During the Clean-Up Drive (CUD) operations, 13 handlers were found operating without a license, 14 dealers without ASD accreditation, and two (2) with expired licenses. As a result, 29 out of 47 handlers were issued with Notice of Violations (NoVs) and were expected to comply with all the requirements in the following days.

Dealers without ASD accreditations were invited to attend the ASD training on September 22-23, 2022. ASD is a prerequisite for acquiring License to Operate (LTO) as fertilizer and pesticide handler.

On the other hand, two (2) store owners were issued with Stop, Use, Move, Sale (SUMS) orders for selling off-specs inorganic fertilizers. Field technicians of the concerned companies were immediately informed, and they were obliged to pull out their products as soon as possible.

Further, the team conducted an ocular inspection in a Vietnamese vessel carrying fertilizers from China and monitored the unloading of inorganic fertilizers. The team also collected fertilizer samples, which were sent to the FPA Laboratory Services Division (LSD) for confirmatory analysis. The results are expected to be released within 20 working days.

The team was composed of Regional Officer Joseph Andre John O. Martinez, Provincial Officers Medardo Santiago, Melecio L. Chos-chos, John Mark Manangan, and Noel M. Tablada. ###