DA Slams Farm Group's 'Ghost Delivery' Claims

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has shot down allegations by a local farm group that it had allowed "ghost deliveries" of fertilizer, branding the charge as false and misleading.

- By Alden Monzon

In a statement over the weekend, the DA dismissed claims made by Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), which had accused the agency of tolerating fictitious fertilizer transactions in several Luzon provinces.

"We've already admitted before the Senate that there were indeed delays in fertilizer deliveries in Regions 1, 2 and 4B. That's confirmed and documented," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

"But as far as ghost deliveries are concerned? At the moment, I consider that fake news—completely baseless," he added.

Tiu Laurel said if the group had concrete proof, it should present it and help the DA pursue the supposed ghost suppliers.