MALACAANG MANILA

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1144 CREATING THE FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE AUTHORITY AND ABOLISHING THE FERTILIZER INDUSTRY AUTHORITY WHEREAS, it is Government policy to provide adequate assistance to the agricultural sector in line with the national objective of increasing food production; WHEREAS, fertilizer and pesticides are vital inputs in food production and must be supplied in adequate quantities at reasonable costs; WHEREAS, improper pesticide usage presents serious risks to users, handlers, and the public in general because of the inherent toxicity of these compounds which are, moreover, potential environmental contaminants; WHEREAS, there is a need to educate the agricultural sector on the benefits as well as the hazards of pesticide use so that it can utilize pesticides properly to promote human welfare while avoiding dangers to health and environmental pollution; WHEREAS, the fertilizer and pesticide industries have much in common in terms of clientele, distribution channels, system of application in farmers fields, and technical supervision by the same farm management technicians under the governments food production program; WHEREAS, the foregoing consideration make it desirable to have one agency to regulate fertilizer importation, manufacture, formulation, distribution, delivery, sale, transport and storage as well as pesticide labeling, distribution, storage, transportation, use and disposal; WHEREAS, the ertilizer !ndustry "uthority was created by #residential $ecree %o& '(), dated ** ebruary '+,(, and amended by #residential $ecree %os& )', and --+, dated '+ .uly '+,/ and '' 0arch '+,) respectively, in order to regulate, control and develop the fertilizer industry but does not include the pesticide industry in its jurisdiction; WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to create a technically1oriented government authority equipped with the required expertise to regulate, control, and develop both the fertilizer and the pesticide industries;
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NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, #resident of the #hilippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the 2onstitution, do hereby decree and order the following3 SECTION 1. Creat !" !# t$e Fert % &er a"' Pe(t ) 'e A*t$!r t+ & 4he ertilizer and #esticide "uthority, hereinafter referred to as the #", is hereby created and attached to the $epartment of "griculture for the purpose of assuring the agricultural sector of adequate supplies of fertilizer and pesticide at reasonable prices, rationalizing the manufacture and marketing of fertilizer, protecting the public from the risks inherent in the use of pesticides, and educating the agricultural sector in the use of these inputs& SECTION ,. A-!% t !" !# t$e Fert % &er I"'*(tr+ A*t$!r t+& 4he ertilizer !ndustry "uthority created under #residential $ecree %o& '(), dated ** ebruary '+,(, as amended by #residential $ecree )', and --+, dated '+ .uly '+,/ and '' 0arch '+,) respectively, is hereby abolished& 4he #" shall assume such appropriations, assets and liabilities and hire such personnel of the !" as may be determined by its 5oard of $irectors; #rovided, that such assumption is made within sixty 6-78 days from the effectivity of this decree& SECTION .. De# " t !"(& understood to mean as follows3 or the purpose hereof, the terms herein below shall be

a& 9#esticide: ; any substance or product, or mixture thereof, including active ingredients, adjuvants and pesticide formulations, intended to control, prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate directly of indirectly, any pest& 4he term shall be understood to include insecticide, fungicide, bactericide, nematocide, herbicide, molluscicide, avicide, rodenticide, plant regulator, defoliant, desiccant and the like& b& 9 ertilizer: ; includes any substance ; solid or liquid ; or any nutrient element or elements ; organic or inorganic ; singly or in combination with other materials, applied directly to the soil for the purpose of promoting plant growth, increasing crop yield or improving their quality& c& 9<ther agricultural chemicals: ; shall mean chemicals, chemical inputs and chemical compounds not herewith covered by the definition of fertilizer and pesticide but utilized by the agricultural sector&

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d& 9=andlers: ; shall mean exporters, importers, manufacturers, formulators, distributors, suppliers, wholesalers, dealers, repackers, commercial applicators, warehousers, and retailers of fertilizers, fertilizer inputs, pesticide and other agricultural inputs& e& 94olerance >evel: ; shall mean the maximum amount of pesticides, as determined by the #", which may be allowed to remain in any raw agricultural produce at any stage between harvesting and consumption& f& 9!mminent =azard: ; shall mean a situation which exists when the continued use of a pesticide will likely result in unreasonable adverse effects on the public and?or the environment or will involve unreasonable hazards to the survival of a specie declared endangered by the appropriate authorities& SECTION 4. B!ar' !# D re)t!r(. 4he powers and functions of the #" shall be vested in and exercised by a 5oard of $irectors which shall be composed of the following officials or their representative3 '& *& (& /& )& -& ,& A& +& @ecretary of "griculture @ecretary of !ndustry @ecretary of inance @ecretary of 4rade Governor, 2entral 5ank #resident, #hilippine %ational 5ank $irector, 5ureau of #lant !ndustry 2ommissioner, #ollution 2ontrol 2ommission "dministrator, ood and $rug "dministration 2hairman 0ember 0ember 0ember 0ember 0ember 0ember 0ember 0ember

4he members of the 5oard shall elect a Bice12hairman who shall act as 2hairman in case of the absence, inability or temporary incapacity of the 2hairman& SECTION /. Or0a" &at !". 4he #" is empowered to determine and create its organizational structure in order to achieve its objectives, including the number, positions and salaries of its officers and employees& 4he 5oard is empowered to create the positions of "dministrator, $eputy "dministrator for ertilizer, $eputy "dministrator for #esticides, and other subordinate officials as may be required& 4he 5oard shall appoint all the officers of the #", establish a compensation scheme including allowances and benefits, working hours and such other conditions of
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employment as it may deem proper, discipline and?or remove for cause, and exercise such other powers over its personnel as maybe necessary for the efficient operation of the #"& SECTION 1. P!2er( a"' F*")t !"(. 4he #" shall have jurisdiction, on over all existing handlers of pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemical inputs& 4he #" shall have the following powers and functions3 !, 2ommon to ertilizers, #esticides, and <ther "gricultural 2hemicals '& *& 4o conduct an information campaign regarding the safe and effective use of these products; 4o promote and coordinate all fertilizer and pesticides research in cooperation with the #hilippine 2ouncil for "griculture and Cesources Cesearch and other appropriate agencies to ensure scientific pest control in the public interest, safety in the use and handling of pesticides, higher standards and quality of products and better application methods; 4o call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government, including government1owned or controlled corporations, or any officer or employee thereof and on the private sector, for such information or assistance as it may need in the exercise of its powers and in the performance of its functions and duties; 4o promulgate rules and regulations for the registration and licensing of handlers of these products, collect fees pertaining thereto, as well as the renewal, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of such registration or licenses and such other rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this $ecree; 4o establish and impose appropriate penalties on handlers of these products for violations of any rules and regulations established by the #"; 4o institute proceedings against any person violating any provisions of this $ecree and?or such rules and regulations as may be promulgated to implement the provisions of this $ecree after due notice and hearing; 4o delegate such selected privileges, powers or authority as may be allowed by law to corporation, cooperatives, associations or individuals as may presently exist or be organized to assist the #" in carrying out its functions, and; 4o do any and all acts not contrary to law or existing decrees and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the #"&

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ertilizers 4o make a continuous assessment of the fertilizer supply and demand situation, both domestic and worldwide; 4o establish and enforce sales quotas, production schedules, distribution areas and such other marketing regulations as may be necessary to assure market stability and viable operations in the industry; 4o determine and set the volume and prices both wholesale and retail, of fertilizer and fertilizer inputs; 4o establish and implement regulations governing the import and export of fertilizer and fertilizer inputs, and when necessary, to itself import and?or export such items, including the negotiating and contracting of such imports and exports; 4o import fertilizer and fertilizer inputs exempt from custom duties, compensating and sales taxes, and all other taxes, and to purchase naptha locally free from specific taxes and the corresponding duty on the imported crude, and to sell or convey such fertilizer or fertilizer input to any individual association, or corporation likewise exempt from the payment of customs duties and all other taxes; 4o control and regulate all marketing companies, whether importer, indentor, wholesaler or retailer; by controlling and regulating prices, terms, mark1ups, distribution channels, promotion, storage and other marketing factors in the domestic fertilizer market; 4o regulate and control quality of the different grades of fertilizer and to set new grades when necessary; 4o control and regulate all aspects of domestic fertilizer production, including the utilization of idle capacity and the orderly expansion of the industry and to compel the utilization of unused or underutilized capacities of fertilizer companies and to direct any improvements, modifications or repairs as may be necessary to accomplish this; 4o approve or to reject the establishment of new fertilizer of fertilizer input plants and the expansion or contraction of existing capacities; 4o obtain complete access to all pertinent information on the operations of the industry, including audited and?or unaudited financial statements, marketing, production, and inventory data;

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4o control and assist in the financing of the importation of fertilizer and fertilizer inputs of production, of inventory and working capital, and of the expansion of the industry; 4o do all such things as may be necessary to maintain an adequate supply of fertilizers to the domestic market at reasonable prices while maintaining the long term viability of the industry&

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!!!& #esticides and <ther "gricultural 2hemicals '& *& 4o determine specific manners of use for each pesticide or pesticide formulation; uses or

4o establish and enforce tolerance levels and good agricultural practices for use of pesticides in raw agricultural commodities; 4o restrict or ban the use of any pesticide or the formulation of certain pesticides in specific areas or during certain periods upon evidence that the pesticide is an imminent hazard, has caused, or is causing widespread serious damage to crops, fish or livestock, or to public health and environment; 4o prevent the importation of agricultural commodities containing pesticide residues above the accepted tolerance levels and to regulate the exportation of agricultural products containing pesticide residue above accepted tolerance levels; 4o inspect the establishment and premises of pesticide handlers to insure that industrial health and safety rules and anti1pollution regulations are followed; 4o enter and inspect farmers fields to ensure that only the recommended pesticides are used in specific crops in accordance with good agricultural practice; 4o require if and when necessary, of every handler of these products, the submission to the #" of a report stating the quantity, value of each kind of product exported, imported, manufactured, produced, formulated, repacked, stored, delivered, distributed, or sold; @hould there be any extraordinary and unreasonable increases in prices, or a severe shortage in supply of pesticides or imminent dangers or either occurrences, the #" is empower to impose such controls as may be necessary in the public interest, including but not limited to such restrictions and controls as the imposition of price ceilings, controls on inventories, distribution, and transport, and tax1free
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importation of such pesticides or raw materials thereof as may be in short supply&

SECTION 3. P!2er t! I((*e R*%e( a"' Re0*%at !"( t! I45%e4e"t De)ree. 4he #" is hereby authorized to issue or promulgate rules and regulations to implement, and carry out the purposes and provision of this $ecree& SECTION 6. Pr!$ - t !"( G!7er" "0 Sa%e a"' U(e !# Fert % &er( a"' Pe(t ) 'e(. !t shall be unlawful for any handler of pesticides, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemicals or for any farmers, planter or end1user of the same as the case may be3 a8 4o engage in any form of production, importation, distribution, storage, and sale in commercial quantities without securing from the #" a license therefor; 4o use any pesticide or pesticide formulation on crops, livestock, and the environment in a manner contrary to good agricultural practices as hereinabove defined; 4o deal in pesticides and?or fertilizers which have not been previously registered with #" or which registration has expired or has been suspended or revoked; 4o adulterate pesticides formulation and fertilizer grade; 4o impose as a condition for the purchase of fertilizer, the simultaneous purchase of pesticide or other agricultural chemical inputs and vice1versa; 4o mislabel or make claims which differ in substance from the representation made in connection with a products registration or from its actual effectiveness; and 4o violate such other rules and regulations as may be promulgated by #"&

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SECTION 8. Re0 (trat !" a"' L )e"( "0. %o pesticides, fertilizer, or other agricultural chemical shall be exported, imported, manufactured, formulated, stored, distributed, sold or offered for sale, transported, delivered for transportation or used unless it has been duly registered with the #" or covered by a numbered provisional permit issued by #" for use in accordance with the conditions as stipulated in the permit& @eparate registrations shall be required for each active ingredient and its possible formulations in the case of pesticides or for each fertilizer grade in the case of fertilizer&
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%o person shall engage in the business of exporting, importing, manufacturing, formulating, distributing, supplying, repacking, storing, commercially applying, selling, marketing, of any pesticides, fertilizer and other agricultural chemicals except under a license issued by the #"& 4he #", in the pursuit of its duties and functions, may suspend, revoke, or modify the registration of any pesticide, fertilizer and other agricultural chemicals after due notice and hearing& SECTION 19. Pe"a%t e( a8 ertilizer ; "ny person who violates any of the provisions of this $ecree or any of the provisions of the rules and regulations issued or promulgated by the #" on fertilizer shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than ') years and ' day or more than *7 years if the amount involved is more than #)7,777&77; by imprisonment of not less than '7 years and ' day or more than ') years if the amount involved is #'7,777&77 or less, as well as a fine ranging from an amount equal to the value involved to three times such value but which shall in no case be less than #),777&77 nor more than #*7,777&77; by a fine or #),777&77 nor more than #'7,777&77 by other violations where the amount involved cannot be determined; #rovided, that if falsification of a public or commercial document is committed by reasons or on the occasion of the commission of any of the acts punishable herein, the offender shall be imposed the maximum fine and term of imprisonment as above prescribed& !f the violation is committed by a corporation, firm, partnership, cooperative, association or any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty office or offices and such corporation, firm, partnership, association or entity& b8 #esticides ; "ny person who violates any of the provisions of this $ecree or any of the provisions of the rules and regulations issued or promulgated by #" on pesticides, shall be liable to a penal servitude of not in excess of one year or a fine of #),777&77 but not more than #'7,777&77 provided that if the violation is committed by a corporation, firm, partnership, cooperative, association or any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officials or officers of such entities& SECTION 11. A55r!5r at !". 4he sum of <ne 0illion and 4wo =undred 4housand 6#'&* 0illion8 #esos shall, in addition to what has been appropriated for the ertilizer !ndustry "uthority for the 2alendar Dear '+,,, be released out of any funds in the %ational 4reasury not otherwise appropriated& or every calendar year thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the operations of the #" shall be included in the General "ppropriations $ecree&
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"ny provision of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, the #" may impose fees or receive grants, subsidies, donations, or contributions from any entity and retain such funds for its operation& SECTION 1,. L #e !# FPA. 4he #" shall constitute itself immediately and shall continue to exist until and unless abolished by the #resident of the #hilippines& SECTION 1.. Se5ara- % t+ C%a*(e. 4he provisions of this $ecree are hereby declared to be separable, and in the event any one or more of such provisions are held unconstitutional, the validity of other provisions shall not be affected& SECTION 14. Re5ea% "0 C%a*(e. "ll laws, decrees, acts, executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of the #residential $ecree are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly& SECTION 1/. E##e)t 7 t+. 4his $ecree shall take effect upon approval& $one in the 2ity of 0anila, this (7th day of 0ay, in the year of our >ord nineteen hundred and seventy1seven& :SGD; FERDINAND E. MARCOS

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/nyd/2002

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