NAGA CITY | May 18, 2022 – The FPA Bicol Region met with 30 dealers and handlers last May 17, 2022 for the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting.

Ms. Camille-Mai Valles, Information Officer of the Planning, Management and Information Division (PMID) discussed the updates on the laws and latest issuances of the FPA. She emphasized on the following points:

• MC no. 19 s. 2022 – Temporary suspension on new applications for Pesticide Regulations Division’s (PRD) Product Registration, Experimental Use Permits, and Licenses
• MC no. 12 s. 2022 – Cut-off time in processing of accreditation
• MC no. 10 s. 2022 – Notice on the use of 2022 revised application and report forms of the Fertilizer Regulations Division (FRD)
• MC no. 08 s. 2022 – Acceptance of Laboratory test results for registration and quality monitoring of Fertilizer and Pesticide Products
• DC No. 1, s. 2022 – General Guidelines on the registration of new fertilizer products with required bioefficacy trial terminal report

Ms. Valles also highlighted the improved FPA website. She gave a tour on where to find manuals, laws and issuances, and other new features.

Provincial Officer Engr. Cris Legaspi also talked about the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS). In his discussion, he highlighted that the reason for the fertilizer price hike are COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia War, rising fertilizer demand in the international market and the rising price of fuel. He explained that BFS would reduce fertilizer importation as the program reduces dependency on imported fertilizer. He suggested a few other alternative fertilizers in his presentation like bio-stimulant, controlled release fertilizer, foliar fertilizer, inoculant, plant growth regulator and soil conditioner.

Regional Officer Gabriel Atole opened the floor for issues and concerns raised by the stakeholders. Instead, he encouraged everyone to work better, providing honest and disciplined interactions. ###