All major buying stations in Region 1 are compliant with trading rules and regulations of locally grown leaf tobacco, according to the NTA Regulation Department Monitoring Team dispatched to observe trading operations in Region 1 on April 18 to 22.
The team visited the buying stations of the Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. in Rosales (Pangasinan), Agoo (La Union), Sta. Cruz, Candon City and Cabugao (Ilocos Sur), Currimao and Batac City (Ilocos Norte); Trans-Manila Inc. in Agoo and San Juan (Ilocos Sur); Continental Leaf Tobacco Corporation in Bacnotan (La Union), Associated Anglo-American Tobacco Corporation in Agoo; and A & J Buying Station in Sto. Tomas, La Union.
Elvira N. Sambrana, Supervising Tobacco Production and Regulation Officer and head of the Monitoring Team, said that the buying stations, wholesale tobacco dealers and field canvassers adopted the harmonized grading system for Virginia and Burley tobacco per Memorandum Circular No. 001, Series 2018.
She added that the buyers complied with the calibration of digital weighing scales to ensure its precision, immediate issuance of Purchase Invoice Vouchers and payment to farmer sellers, and cooperation with assisting staff from NTA in monitoring grading and classification.
The visit was in coordination with the Branch Offices where the buying stations are located.
“Before we proceed to the buying stations, we had a brief meeting with the branch personnel involved in the trading operations, and discuss the proper accomplishment of trading forms, current trading situation and other trading concerns,” she added.
Before the opening of trading in March, the Monitoring/Roving Team of each Branch Office calibrated the weighing scales and guaranteed an accurate weight of the tobacco leaves. Extension workers are closely monitoring the tobacco trading procedures and closely supervising their farmer-sellers on the proper handling and preparation of tobacco before delivery.
Other members of the monitoring team were Sinfrosa N. Valmonte, TPRO III, and Dianne Joyce O. Trinidad, TPRO I, of the Regulation Department. As of April 30, total acceptances of tobacco (Virginia, Burley and Native) in buying stations in Region 1 and 2 have reached 7 million kilos or about 12% of the estimated volume of production for the current trading season.
In 2021, Region 1 accounts for about 60% of total production of tobacco, all types, in the country.
[Melanie Rapiz-Pares / Photos: Dianne O. Trinidad]