LIPA CITY | September 16, 2022 – Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) CALABARZON-MIMAROPA Regional Officer (RO) Suzettie M. Alcaide and Batangas Provincial Officer (PO) Georlene P. Orbista discussed the proliferation of fake and off-specification fertilizers at the 3rd Quarter Regional Management Committee (RMC) meeting on September 13, 2022, in DA LARES Conference Room, Maraouy, Lipa City, Batangas.

During the meeting, RO Alcaide highlighted the ongoing fertilizer situation, particularly the proliferation of fake and off-specification fertilizers in the market. She assured the members that FPA is strictly monitoring and working closely with the fertilizer handlers in the region to address this issue.

Furthermore, she presented the list of fertilizer handlers with suspension orders on their License to Operate (LTO) and asked the members of RMC, especially those member agencies who work closely with the farmers, to disseminate the information to them.

In response, the member agencies guaranteed to help FPA in informing the farmers and suggested different strategies to improve the circulation of critical information to avoid communication gaps.

The following strategies were proposed:

1. Utilization of social media platforms and radio programs aired by the DA RFO-IVA radio station;

2. Monthly bulletin of registered handlers signed by the FPA Director and send it to the different DA regional offices and the local government units; and

3. Utilization of the RMC network wherein the FPA will provide regular updates to the member agencies through the RMC Secretariat.

Department of Agriculture Regional Field Officer (DA RFO) IV-A OIC Regional Executive Director, Engr. Abelardo R. Bragas presided over the said meeting and was attended by the heads of 19 member agencies who also provided updates on the implementation of their respective programs. ###