Butuan: The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) announced on Friday that it has filed a criminal complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor at the Butuan City Hall of Justice in Agusan del Norte, citing alleged violations of fertilizer regulations.
According to Philippines News Agency, this action follows the earlier filing of a criminal charge for unauthorized fertilizer manufacturing in Cotabato on August 6. The latest complaint targets DO's Asia Chemical Trading Corp. and its president, concerning alleged violations involving the PHP25.67 million government procurement project for inorganic fertilizers in Caraga.
In an official statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the importance of upholding regulatory standards in government agriculture programs that utilize public funds. He emphasized that any violation impacts farmers, food security, and public trust in government initiatives. "We will use the full force of the law against anyone who undermines the integrity of our agricultural input system," he stated.
The FPA accused the company of unauthorized regulated fertilizer operations and using banned fertilizer production methods. Specifically, the agency pointed out the use of the "Spinning Palanggana" method, prohibited under FPA Memorandum Circular 23, Series of 2022, due to concerns about quality and product uniformity.
Additionally, DO's Asia Chemical Trading Corp. allegedly supplied a product registered under a different company name without proper authorization. Laurel underscored the necessity of strict regulation enforcement to protect Filipino food producers' welfare and livelihoods. He remarked, "Enforcing these regulations is not simply about compliance. It is about protecting our farmers, safeguarding public health, and ensuring that every peso the government spends on agricultural support delivers real value in the field."
If found guilty, the respondents may face charges for violations of Sections 8(a), 8(g), and 9, in relation to Section 10, of Presidential Decree 1144.
