May 29, 2026 | Quezon City – With the theme “Building a Golden Legacy Through Innovation and Responsible Regulations,” the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) proudly celebrated its 49th anniversary, marking nearly five decades of dedicated service in regulating and promoting the safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides toward a productive, sustainable, and food-secure Philippines.
The milestone celebration highlighted the agency’s enduring commitment to public service and recognized the strong partnerships it has cultivated with government institutions, industry stakeholders, and agricultural communities. These collaborations have played a vital role in advancing responsible agricultural input management and supporting the country’s food security goals.
Advancing Responsible Regulation Through Innovation
In his anniversary message, FPA Executive Director Glenn D.C. Estrada reflected on the agency’s journey through the years—its challenges, achievements, and continuous transformation in response to the evolving needs of the agriculture sector. He emphasized the agency’s efforts to strengthen regulatory systems through innovation and digitalization, enabling more effective monitoring of fertilizer and pesticide distribution while safeguarding human health and the environment from the risks associated with agricultural chemicals.
“Responsible regulation is the balance between access and protection. On one hand, we want our farmers to have access to high-quality, affordable, and effective farm inputs. On the other hand, we must ensure that what reaches the farm gate is safe, properly registered, correctly labeled, and honestly traded,” Director Estrada remarked.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations Atty. Asis G. Perez echoed this message, emphasizing the importance of principled, science-based regulation in protecting both the agricultural sector and the public. Recalling a significant moment in the agency’s early years, he highlighted FPA’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding users and the environment, even in the face of difficult circumstances.
“To regulate responsibly is to hold firm where public health and environment are at stake, and to be fair so that legitimate enterprise can grow and farmers can prosper. It is to be guided by evidence rather than pressure. It is, in plain terms, to protect without obstructing—a balance that is difficult to strike, and one the entire agricultural system quietly relies upon,” Undersecretary Perez said.
Bringing Information and Capacity-Building Closer to Stakeholders
The month-long anniversary celebration was marked by a series of nationwide information and capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening stakeholder awareness and promoting the safe, responsible, and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides.
As part of its public information campaign, the FPA conducted Information Caravans in Bago City, Negros Occidental; Bulan, Sorsogon; and the municipalities of Talibon and Catigbi-an in Bohol. These activities reached hundreds of farmers, agricultural extension workers, irrigators’ associations, local government representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders. The caravans served as venues for disseminating updates on FPA regulations, proper agricultural input management, product stewardship, and sustainable farming practices while reinforcing the importance of purchasing agricultural inputs only from legitimate and registered dealers.
In Masbate City, FPA Regional Field Unit V spearheaded a comprehensive three-day program that brought together more than 100 participants from the agricultural sector. Activities included consultation meetings with municipal and city agriculturists, rice focal persons, and report officers; training on the safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs); Accredited Safety Dispenser (ASD) Training for Rice Clusters; and meetings with fertilizer and pesticide industry stakeholders. These engagements strengthened regulatory compliance, enhanced local service delivery, and fostered stronger collaboration among government agencies, industry partners, and farming communities.
Complementing these on-site activities, the FPA also conducted a two-day nationwide webinar on May 25–26, 2026, focusing on FPA rules and regulations and the safe and judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides. The webinar attracted 321 participants from across the country, including farmers, agricultural practitioners, local government representatives, and industry stakeholders. Discussions covered the agency’s regulatory mandate, licensing and registration processes, compliance monitoring, enforcement efforts against illegal online selling of agricultural inputs, current developments in the fertilizer sector, and best practices for the proper handling, application, storage, and disposal of fertilizers and pesticides.
Through these initiatives, the FPA reinforced its commitment to empowering stakeholders with knowledge and advancing responsible regulation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable agricultural productivity nationwide.
Honoring Excellence and Commitment in Public Service
A significant highlight of the celebration was the recognition of FPA personnel through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), which honors employees whose dedication and achievements have contributed to the agency’s success.
Four (4) employees received the Loyalty Award in recognition of their years of dedicated service:
Loyalty Awardees
30 Years of Service
· Ms. Imelda Rasay
· Engr. Ardon Ryan E. Nee-Estuye
20 Years of Service
· Mr. Ryan G. Gelladula
10 Years of Service
· Mr. Froilan T. Banaga
Retiree Award
· Mr. Joseph Andre John O. Martinez
In support of continuous learning and professional development, nine (9) personnel received the Personal Development Award for attaining advanced academic degrees, demonstrating their commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence:
· Ms. Suzettie M. Alcaide – Master of Public Administration
· Ms. Jonalyn R. Rojo – Master of Public Administration
· Ms. Anjaneth B. Palcutilo – Master of Public Administration
· Mr. Romeo Val R. Suguitan, Jr – Master of Public Administration
· Mr. Jayar V. Rivera – Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)
· Dr. Arnulfo L. Arausa, Jr. – PhD in Management
· Dr. Rowena F. Bilig – PhD in Rural Development
· Dr. Romnick N. Boctot – PhD in Plant Pathology
· Dr. Eramae V. Inocencio – Doctorate of Public Administration
Likewise, thirteen (13) employees were recognized with the Perfect Attendance Award for their exemplary discipline, reliability, and dedication to duty throughout the year:
· Ms. Joy C. Lugasan
· Ms. Beverly A. Lete
· Engr. Blessie M. Aguto
· Dr. Arnuflo L. Arausa, Jr.
· Mr. Sunday B. Flores
· Mr. Jesus A Muring
· Ms. Windhel Jean B. Balatero
· Ms. Cheery B. Agrade
· Mr. Evan C. Bojos
· Ms. Junette A. Cano
· Ms. Anjaneth B. Palcutilo
· Mr. Dennis S. Mallari
· Ms. Maricel P. Tabigue
Driving Digital Transformation
As part of its commitment to innovation and modernization, the Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) officially launched the Leave Management System (LMS), a digital platform designed to streamline leave application processes and improve operational efficiency within the agency.
The system was developed by Jehu Vincent Ferrer Galvez and Samantha Joy Kirong Balmes of National University–Fairview, together with Audie Rex Valencia of Saint Mary’s University. The initiative reflects FPA’s continuing efforts to leverage technology in enhancing internal processes and delivering more responsive public service.
Renewing the Commitment to Serve
Looking ahead, Director Estrada reaffirmed FPA’s commitment to building a future-ready regulatory institution—one that is science-driven, digitally enabled, farmer-centered, fair to legitimate industry players, and uncompromising in its fight against fake, substandard, underweight, misdeclared, and illegally traded agricultural inputs.
“May this 49th anniversary be more than a celebration of time, [but] a renewal of our promise to regulate with wisdom, innovate with courage, enforce with fairness, and serve with integrity,” Director Estrada said.
The anniversary celebration was held simultaneously at the FPA Central Office in Quezon City and through an online streaming platform, allowing Regional Field Units (RFUs), partners, and stakeholders from across the country to participate in commemorating FPA’s 49 years of service and its continuing pursuit of regulatory excellence.
###
_________________________________________________________
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team
Writer: Wendycharlene B. Almasen