Baguio city: The provincial government has reiterated its call for farmers to responsibly collect and dispose of used fertilizer and pesticide containers to mitigate environmental and health hazards. Governor Melchor Diclas highlighted in an interview that while agriculture companies are prepared to retrieve these empty containers, farmers must first gather and bring them to designated collection points to facilitate easier collection.

According to Philippines News Agency, suggestions have been made by some groups to offer incentives that would encourage farmers to collect and consolidate this hazardous waste. Diclas emphasized the importance of proper disposal for community safety, noting that these packaging materials contain pesticide and fertilizer residues.

Diclas is also working with Benguet State University (BSU) to explore potential solutions. Dr. Constantino Sudaypan, dean of BSU’s College of Agriculture, acknowledged that the indiscriminate disposal of fertilizer and pesticide containers remains a pressing issue in the agricultural sector. He pointed out that penalization alone is ineffective, as many containers are still found littering fields and rivers, posing a threat to both people and the environment.

Sudaypan mentioned that during a regional technical working group meeting, agro-chemical companies expressed willingness to help retrieve the waste. He suggested the introduction of a ‘deposit’ system, akin to the old soda bottle return model, where farmers could receive free farm supplies in exchange for returning used containers.

In addition, Department of Agriculture – Cordillera Director Jennilyn Dawayan stated that the agency is actively promoting organic farming, particularly in new farming areas, though transitioning from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides remains challenging. The agency also underscores the importance of proper waste management as part of good agricultural practices to ensure the safe disposal of these hazardous containers.