MANILA – The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority has issued suspension and preventive suspension orders against five fertilizer companies over alleged violations of fertilizer laws and regulatory policies.

The sanctions stemmed from separate investigations, monitoring operations, and compliance checks involving fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, and product registrants.

FPA Executive Director Glenn Estrada said the violations include refusal to allow 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.

Estrada also disclosed that some of the firms involved had participated in government fertilizer procurement and bidding activities, including the fertilizer subsidy program of the Department of Agriculture.

The FPA emphasized the need to ensure that only compliant and properly registered fertilizer products and handlers are allowed to participate in government-backed agricultural programs.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. supported the enforcement actions, saying strict regulation is necessary to protect farmers and public funds allocated for agricultural support programs.

“We cannot allow questionable and non-compliant fertilizer products to undermine our farmers’ productivity and compromise the integrity of government agricultural programs. These enforcement actions send a strong message that the government is serious about protecting Filipino farmers and ensuring accountability across the fertilizer industry,” Tiu Laurel said.

The agriculture chief added that regional officials of the department are also under investigation by the Internal Audit Service over possible collusion with erring fertilizer firms.

“We must make sure that our personnel in the regions are above reproach,” he said.

The agency said some cases involve unresolved issues regarding the validity, traceability, and regulatory status of certain fertilizer products and registrations.

Estrada warned that such violations weaken the country’s fertilizer regulatory system and may expose farmers to risks from unverified, adulterated, or unregistered 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 companies and products involved will be temporarily removed from the official list of FPA-registered fertilizer handlers and products.

The FPA said preventive suspension serves as a precautionary measure while investigations and compliance verification remain ongoing.

The agency also reiterated that penalties for violations may include suspension or revocation of licenses, disqualification from government transactions, and possible criminal charges.

It urged farmers and stakeholders to purchase only FPA-registered fertilizer products from licensed dealers and to report suspicious or counterfeit agricultural inputs to the agency.