DA-FPA conducts seminar for applicants of Fertilizer and Pesticide dealership license

SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR – Over 30 applicants for various licenses necessary in the manufacture and marketing of fertilizers and pesticides attended the accreditation training for fertilizer and pesticide dealers  conducted by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) regional office in Bicol held at the Farmer’s Hall here on September 7-8, 2020.

The FPA is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture mandated in assuring the agricultural sector of adequate supplies of fertilizer and pesticide at reasonable prices, rationalizing the manufacture and marketing of fertilizer, protecting the public from the risks inherent in the use of pesticides, and educating the agricultural sector in the use of these inputs.

The FPA regional office located inside the DA Regional Field Office in San Agustin, Pili, issues License to Operate for: Importer/Distributor;  Distributor; Importer End-user; Manufacturer/Processor/Formulator; Exporter; as Indentor; Repacker; Area Distributor;  Dealer and Dealer Repacker and Warehouse Registration.

These licenses are valid for three years.

Engr. Ardon Ryan E. Nee-Estuye, OIC of FPA R5, in his welcome remarks, encouraged the fertilizer dealers to renew their licenses at least  one (1) month before its expiry date to avail of the 50% discount in filing fee.

The requirements in applying for licenses include duly accomplished and notarized application form which can be secured from their website http://fpa.da.gov.ph; documentary stamp; recommendation from provincial or regional officer covering the area; risk appraisal for warehouse / store inspection report; official receipt; valid ASD ID; and copy of Certificate of Membership from Accredited Agro-Dealer’s Association if applicable. Queries could be sent through their email:  fpa.bicol5@gmail.com.

Topics discussed during the two-day seminar included: Regulations Governing the FPA discussed by Engr. Ardon Ryan E. Nee-Estuye, OIC of FPA R5; General Information on Pesticides by Gabriel B. Atole, Agriculturist II Albay; Pesticides Safe Handling Storage and Transport by Winsor L. Nueva, Agriculturist II of Cam. Sur; Pesticide Poisoning and First Aid by Gabriel Atole; Understanding Integrated  Pest Management Concept by Engr. Christopher M. Nunez, Agriculturist II Cam Sur and Catanduanes; and Insect/Insecticide Resistance Management by Gabriel Atole. (Lovella P. Guarin DA RAFIS 5 / photo credit Hermito Antonio DT Privaldos)