The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has served suspension and preventive suspension orders on 5 fertilizer firms over alleged violations of fertilizer laws and regulatory policies, the agency said Wednesday.
The sanctions follow separate investigations, monitoring operations and compliance checks involving fertilizer manufacturers, distributors and product registrants amid concerns over counterfeit products, mislabelling and unauthorized distribution activities, it said.
FPA executive-director Glenn Estrada said the violations included refusal to allow lawful inspections by FPA personnel, sale of counterfeit and off-specification fertilizer products, product mislabelling and unauthorized movement of products already covered by Stop Sale, Stop Use, Stop Move and Hold orders.
Some of the firms involved had also participated in government fertilizer procurement and bidding activities, including the fertilizer subsidy program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the FPA said.
The agency said it aims to ensure that only compliant, duly registered and quality-assured fertilizer products and handlers participate in government-backed agricultural programs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. backed the enforcement actions, saying strict regulation is necessary to protect farmers and safeguard public funds allocated for agricultural support programs.
He said that regional officials are now under investigation by the agency’s internal audit service over possible collusion with erring fertilizer firms.
The FPA said some cases involve unresolved questions on the validity, traceability and regulatory status of certain fertilizer products and registrations.
Estrada warned that the violations undermine the integrity of the country’s fertilizer regulatory system and expose farmers to risks linked to unverified, unregistered, adulterated or non-compliant products.
“We will not hesitate to take decisive regulatory action against entities that continue to disregard fertilizer laws and put farmers at risk. The protection of Filipino farmers and the integrity of the country’s agricultural supply chain remain our top priorities,” he said.
Pending final resolution of the cases, the agency will temporarily remove the affected companies and products from the official list of FPA-registered fertilizer handlers and products.
The agency also warned that penalties for violators may include suspension or revocation of licenses, disqualification from government transactions and possible criminal charges.
