BERNOS — FILE CASES AGAINST ERRANT FERTILIZER COMPANIES AS DETERRENT

The government should continue to pursue companies that profit off the sale of substandard fertilizers to serve as deterrent to others, a member of the House of Representatives agriculture and food committee said.

“We must be relentless in putting to justice those who seek to hoodwink the government and our farmers by violating fertilizer regulations and selling questionable fertilizer products. Hanggang hindi nakukulong ang mga manlolokong ito ay patuloy ang walang habas na pangaabuso ng sistema at pangdedehado sa ating pamahalaan at mga magsasaka,” Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos said.

Bernos’ statement comes on the heels of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority’s filing of a criminal complaint following an alleged violation of fertilizer regulations in the Caraga region.

The complaint involved Davao-based enterprise DO’s Asia Chemical Trading Corp. and its president in connection with a PHP25.67-million government procurement contract for inorganic fertilizers for farmers in Caraga.

The FPA said the company allegedly conducted fertilizer dealership activities in Caraga without the required authorization, despite holding licenses to operate only in the Davao region.

The company also allegedly used the prohibited “Spinning Palanggana” fertilizer production method, which has been banned as it cannot consistently ensure fertilizer quality and uniformity.

DO’s Asia was further alleged to have supplied a fertilizer product registered under another manufacturer’s name without first obtaining the required Third-Party Authorization from the FPA.

The lawmaker lauded the FPA and the Department of Agriculture for “their bravery and diligence” in investigating and eventually filing cases against erring companies.

The FPA also previously sued the owner of DQB Green Agricultural Products Trading for allegedly manufacturing regulated fertilizer products without a license in North Cotabato.

“We have to be firm in ensuring that the products that reach the market and consumers and farmers use pass regulations. Not out of undue strictness, but because these could spell the difference between public safety and harm; effectiveness versus inutility.”