Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has dismissed allegations of “ghost deliveries” of fertilizer raised by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), branding them as baseless and harmful to the agency.
“We’ve already admitted before the Senate that there were delays in fertilizer deliveries in Regions 1, 2, and 4B. That’s confirmed and documented,” Tiu Laurel said Friday after launching the P20 rice program for fisherfolk at the Navotas Fish Port Complex.
“But ghost deliveries? At the moment, I consider that fake news completely unfounded. If Sinag has concrete proof, they should present it so we can pursue these supposed ghost suppliers,” he said.
He said the DA is already taking action against three suppliers behind the delayed shipments. Penalties, including fines and possible blacklisting, are being readied.
He said suppliers claimed recent typhoons had delayed the arrival of fertilizers from China, which for him was not a valid excuse.
The DA has given suppliers until Sep. 15 to deliver, “but they will face heavier penalties even if they meet that deadline.”
Tiu Laurel, however, noted that termination of contracts would only serve to aggravate the problem resulting in more delays.
Forcing a new bidding will only render new contracts at higher rates, since the DA have procured the latest batch of fertilizers at lower cost, he said.
The department said that while it sought accountability, it also wanted to avoid disruption in farm input distribution.
