Duterte: No irregularities in DA’s P 5.6-B purchase of fertilizers

MANILA, Philippines— There were no irregularities in the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s purchase of urea fertilizers worth P5.6 billion, contrary to the claim of a farmer’s group.

In his 14th report to Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte cited the DA’s report that the bidding for the procurement of fertilizers was transparent.

“As to the alleged overpricing in the procurement of urea fertilizer, the DA has reported that the centralized fertilizer bidding is aboveboard, transparent and has in fact brought urea prices down,” the President said.

Duterte said the awarded bidding price of P900 to P995 per bag of urea was lower than the national average price of urea, which was pegged at P1,051 per bag in April.

“The DA has taken the necessary measures to enhance the system of fertilizer distribution, including geo-tagging, posting of all recipients or beneficiaries, system digitization and institution of an ‘integrity group,’” the report said.

The integrity group is comprised of NGOs, civil society organizations, regional agricultural fishery councils, and private sector representatives which “observe and monitor” the distribution of fertilizer.

The President made the remarks in the wake of allegations that the fertilizers that the DA bought were overpriced.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura claimed that the DA could have saved P2.5 million if it purchased fertilizer at the commercial price of P850 per bag, instead of P990.