PILI, CAMARINES SUR | August 24, 2022 – The FPA Bicol in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO5), Bicol Medical Center-Poison Control Center and Camsur Multi-Purpose Cooperative conducted the “Pesticide Training 101: Pesticide Safe Handling, Poison Prevention and Management” on August 23, 2022, at CDA Bldg., Airport Road, Pili, Camarines Sur.

This activity captures the mandates of FPA to protect the public from the inherent risks of pesticides, educate the farmers on the safe and judicious use of pesticides, and address food safety concerns under the OneDA approach.

The FPA Bicol team discussed general information on pesticides and their label, safe handling, storage, and disposal. On the other hand, the BMC-PCC team discussed the signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning, management of pesticide poisoning cases, and prevention of pesticide poisoning.

Camsur MPC General Manager Ms. Annielen L. Panerio expressed her gratitude to FPA Bicol for selecting them as one of their partners and beneficiaries. “This training is imperative to them as Area Distributor of fertilizer and pesticide products, and they are the frontliners in catering these products to their farmer members,” she said.

Dr. Janeta B. Froyalde, Head of Bicol Medical Center – Poison Control Center, reminded the farmers to take precautions in handling pesticides since it is poisonous. They should also take care of themselves and their farm laborers since they have to prevent poisoning and ensure occupational safety on their farms.

FPA Bicol Regional Officer Mr. Gabriel B. Atole, in his closing remarks, extended his gratitude to the BMC-PCC, Camsur MPC, DA-RFO5, and farmers for successfully conducting the training. He challenged the participants to impart and practice what they have learned during the training and said that it is just the beginning of the partnership with different stakeholders and intensified information dissemination on the safe and judicious use of pesticides.

The activity was participated by 38 farmer beneficiaries of DA-RFO5 100 hectares Hybrid Rice Model Farm from Himaoo, Pili, Camarines Sur, and personnel of Camsur Multi-Purpose Cooperative. ###