Manila, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the immediate suspension of the use, sale, and distribution of fertilizers in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro supplied by Agri-Victorius Trading Corporation, which served as the provider of the said products in the provinces.
In a Stop Use, Move, and Sale (SUMS) order issued by the agency through the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), the temporary suspension covers the inventory of fertilizer sacks that have already been delivered to the provinces.
It was discovered that more than 11,000 sacks of fertilizer have an expired Certificate of Product Registration from the FPA.
According to the DA, the company may face penalties and possible blacklisting as a supplier once violations of established standards are confirmed.
The department clarified that the FPA is currently investigating only the inventoried fertilizers and that those already distributed to beneficiary farmers are not included, so there is no cause for concern.
The initial batch of fertilizers that had been distributed also reportedly underwent laboratory testing and nutrient content analysis.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured that having no FPA registration is non-negotiable, especially since the matter concerns food security.
Meanwhile, the agency has issued a show cause order and notice of violation to the company, requiring it to explain the alleged negligence and regulatory breaches.
At present, the investigation by the concerned agencies and authorities is ongoing.