DAVAO CITY | July 15, 2022 – FPA Region XI headed by Regional Officer Ms. Marrisa G. Napalit together with Croplife Regional Action Network (CRAN) X President Mr. Lizter Anasco conducted a blended meeting to discuss the updates on the retrieval project of Empty Pesticide Containers (EPC).

During the meeting, Ms. Napalit mentioned that retrieving EPC is not easy since EPC regulation applies to FPA and other regulatory government agencies, such as the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

EPC is considered hazardous waste to the DENR-EMB under R.A. 6969. Hazardous wastes are hereby defined as substances without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic usage and are shipped, transported, or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal into or in transit through any part of the territory of the Philippines.

Hazardous wastes shall also refer to by-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction media, contaminated plant or equipment, or other substances from manufacturing operations, and as consumer discards of manufactured products. (R.A. 6969, Sec. 5. h)

To harmonize the said project, Ms. Napalit suggested to create a system composed of Croplife Philippines, FPA, and Local Government Units (LGUs), particularly the City/Municipal Agriculture’s Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

Ms. Napalit included the LGU in this proposal as these LGUs were familiar with the agricultural practices in their localities. This will greatly help maximize the implementation of the EPC retrieval project (pilot project), particularly on the farmer’s level. In addition, FPA and Croplife will also tap with DENR-EMB for other matters, including the legalities of the project.

Once the project becomes successful, this will serve as a game-changer not just in the product stewardship of pesticides but also for the farmer’s awareness, education, and safety.

The meeting was held at Cafe Firenzo, Damosa, Lanang Davao City on July 15, 2022. The meeting was attended by Croplife Philippines members, which include Aldiz, Inc., BASF Phils., Inc., Bayer Philippines, Inc., Inc., C.B. Andrew Asia, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, FMC Philippines Inc., Jardine Distribution, Inc., Monsanto Phils., Inc., Sinochem Crop Protection Phils., Syngenta (Phils.) Inc. and UPL Philippines, Inc. ###

Sources: R.A. 6969 or An Act to Control Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes, Sec. 5 (h)

Pesticide Regulatory Policies and Implementing Guidelines, pg. 173