MANILA — The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has filed a criminal complaint against the owner of DQB Green Agricultural Products Trading for allegedly engaging in the unauthorized manufacture of regulated fertilizer products.

The complaint, filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor by FPA Executive Director Glenn D.C. Estrada, alleges violations of provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1144, which created the FPA under the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said enforcing fertilizer regulations is essential to protect farmers, consumers, and the country’s food security.

“Illegal producers undermine food security by exposing farmers to substandard agricultural inputs that can reduce yields and incomes while posing potential risks to public health and the environment. We will continue pursuing violators to protect our farmers and the integrity of the country’s food production system,” Tiu Laurel said.

The case stemmed from an inspection conducted at a facility in Barangay Saguing, Makilala, North Cotabato, where the FPA alleged that regulated fertilizer manufacturing activities were being carried out beyond the scope of the company’s license.

According to the agency, DQB Green Agricultural Products Trading is licensed only as a national distributor, allowing it to sell registered fertilizer products to dealers, distributors, and retail outlets. It said the company is not authorized to manufacture, formulate, process, bulk blend, or repack fertilizer products without separate licenses and approvals.

During an inspection conducted on Feb. 20, 2026 by the FPA Regional Field Unit XII, together with local agriculture and barangay officials, authorities allegedly discovered production equipment, packaging materials, and fertilizer bags labeled “TAKADA 14-14-14,” a fertilizer product registered under another company, VALAP Inc.

The FPA also alleged that the facility used the “Spinning Palanggana” method, a manual fertilizer mixing process prohibited under FPA Memorandum Circular No. 2022-23 for failing to comply with prescribed manufacturing and quality control standards.

The inspection was launched after the FPA Regional Field Unit XIII received information regarding failed laboratory test results involving fertilizer products supplied for a government procurement project, prompting regulators to verify the reported production site.

Following the inspection, the agency issued a show cause order directing DQB owner Quiara Fabian Baterina to explain the alleged violations.

While the respondent signified willingness to cooperate, the FPA said the explanation submitted did not refute the allegations of unauthorized manufacturing, unauthorized production of a registered fertilizer product, or the use of the prohibited production method.

The agency has since placed DQB’s licenses and product registrations under preventive suspension pending administrative proceedings.

“We will continue to pursue individuals and entities that circumvent our regulatory system. These regulations exist to ensure that only safe, properly registered, and quality agricultural inputs reach our farmers, and we will not hesitate to enforce the law against those who violate it,” Estrada said.

The complaint charges the respondent with alleged violations of Sections 8(a), 8(g), and 9 of Presidential Decree No. 1144, which regulate fertilizer manufacturing and distribution activities and prescribe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of FPA laws and regulations.