Gov’t addresses fake fertilizers issue

MANILA, Philippines - The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) said it has begun to address the complaint of corn growers on the alleged adulteration of fertilizers sold in the country.

In a statement, FPA executive director Norlito Gicana said that following the consultations conducted with member companies of the Philippine Maize Federation (Philmaize), the agency was furnished with the names of suspected fertilizer traders who engaged in the adulteration of fertilizers.

“The FPA has already initiated actions against those suspected of adulterating fertilizers,” said Gicana.

He said the inquiries inititated by the agency have led to the arrest of a certain Edgar Calledo and Merlyn Calledo in Davao and two Taiwanese traders in Pampanga and the subsequent filing of charges against them.

The FPA said the apprehensions were made in cooperation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

From the raid initiated on the storage facilities of Taiwanese nationals in Pampanga, a total of P37 million worth of suspected adulterated farm inputs were confiscated. 

“Seven other distributors of farm inputs were issued warrants of arrests, and two of the parties are now facing cases in courts for violating, among others, Republic Act 8293,” Gicana said.

The FPA official also said that he asked the Department of Agrarian Reform last July 26 to advise all agrarian reform beneficiaries to purchase farm inputs only from distributors who are licensed by the agency.

He added that he is still asking PhilMaize to furnish the FPA more names and addresses of distributors and importers of farm inputs who are allegedly into adulterating fertilizers.

“The actions we initiated in cooperation with the PNP, DOJ and the NBI showed that the FPA is not sitting on this matter. But we also need the cooperation of the private sector by reporting to FPA those involved in adulterating fertilizers so that appropriate actions can be done,” Gicana added.