Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the suspension of fertilizer releases from several government-contracted suppliers pending a full investigation into product quality complaints.
The directive to procurement and warehouse officials halts all distribution while the department, in coordination with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, reviews whether the products meet government standards.
The suspension remains in effect until the Office of the Secretary grants official clearance, the agency said in a statement,
“We agreed to pay the price they bid, yet they delivered substandard products. That is highway robbery, and we will not allow it. They have no shame,” Tiu Laurel said.
The investigation targets Agri-Victorious Trading Corp., DQB Green Agricultural Products Trading, Valap Incorporated, Dos Asia Chemical Trading Corp. and Rova Fertilizer Manufacturing. Under the order, no stocks from these firms may be released, distributed or used.
All department personnel should report pending deliveries, ongoing transactions and related documentation to facilitate the review, the agency said. While the specific value of the contracts was not immediately disclosed, officials said that any payments involve taxpayer funds.
