The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) said it will roll out a Web-based system that would fast-track the issuance of permits to sell organic fertilizer in the country before the end of the year.
BAFS Executive Director Vivencio R. Mamaril told the BusinessMirror that the system, which is expected to cut costs incurred by businessmen, may be launched by the fourth quarter. This Web-based system, Mamaril said, would ensure that the agency’s decision on the issuance of permits would be “on time and transparent.”
“It has always been the complaint of businesses that the application of permits from all bureaus takes a lot of time,” Mamaril said in an interview. “With this kind of system, you will see in real time what is happening to your application, if it is being evaluated or not.”
Mamaril said the system would also applicants to complain about the evaluation and issuance process undertaken by the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“They can complain if we are not doing our job. Also, if we do not act on their applications within a certain number of days, then it is considered approved,” he said.
The BAFS chief said the agency has set a period of time for every stage of the application process—whether for new permits or the renewal of existing ones—to ensure proper monitoring.
“Business-wise, this [system] would cut their costs because we should not go beyond the number of days required to complete the application,” Mamaril said.
“The applicant will see online in real time what is happening to his application. So that would entail less phone calls or less follow-ups on their part. And they will not anymore go here physically to seek updates on their application,” he added.
At present, the application for permits to sell organic fertilizers is done manually, according to Mamaril. With the Web-based system, he said applicants would only go to the agency to sign their application.
Mamaril said the BAFS is on track in launching the system by the fourth quarter, as the agency has already developed about 60 percent to 80 percent of the platform since January.
Under the DA’s Department Circular No. 5, Series of 2015, the BAFS is mandated to oversee the registration of organic fertilizers sold in the country. The circular requires an organic fertilizer producer to first secure an experimental use permit (EUP) before applying for a certificate of registration (COR).
BAFS has a maximum of 17 days to process an EUP application, with much of the days devoted to the assessment and evaluation of the applicant’s test protocol for the efficacy of the product.
Upon approval, the applicant will be given a notice to proceed. After conducting an experiment, the applicant has an option to apply for a provisional COR or for “full registration.” The provisional COR and “full” COR is valid for one year and three years, respectively.
The BAFS also has a 17-day timeline for the approval of an application for a COR.
Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas, Jenn Kiana Louise N. Cardeno and Monique Danielle A. Fernando