THE Monitoring Team of the NTA Regulation Department (NTA-RD) observed that the NTA-licensed buying stations (BSs), wholesale tobacco dealers (WTDs), and field canvassers (FCs) in Region 1 were compliant with the 2018 Revised Trading Rules and Regulations (TRR) for locally grown leaf tobacco.

The NTA-RD Monitoring Team, headed by Alex L. Borje, Chief Tobacco Production and Regulation Officer (TPRO), checked on the proper implementation of the provisions of the revised TRR by the leaf buyers in the region from April 23 to 26, particularly on proper grading, proper or accurate weighing, prompt payment, and proper documentation.

The team also checked on the leaf buyers' compliance to the provisions of the Harmonized Grades for Locally Grown Virginia and Burley Leaf Tobacco, per NTA Memorandum Circular No. 001, series of 2018.

Other members of the team that conducted on-site monitoring of trading operations were Primitivo M. Abalos Jr, TPRO III; and Franklin Ross S. Mendoza, TPRO I.

Those visited were buying stations of Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. (ULPI) in Batac City and Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Cabugao and Candon City in Ilocos Sur, Bangar and Agoo in La Union, and Rosales in Pangasinan; Conleaf in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur and Bacnotan, La Union; PMFTC in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur; Trans-Manila Inc. (TMI) in Aringay, La Union; Associated Anglo-American Tobacco in Aringay, La Union; Agrifina Estalilla Buying Station in Caba, La Union; John Medriano Buying Station in Aringay, La Union; and A & J Trading Center in Sto. Tomas La Union.

According to Borje, some buying stations had their own leaf tobacco samples presented either in international grade marks or NTA Harmonized Grade Standards. The buying stations also had their NTA-calibrated weighing scales stamped with official stickers/seals at their designated placement area and the NTA Tobacco Floor Prices, per grade with leaf samples, displayed in big tarpaulins or boards in their premises for ready reference of all concerned.

"The buying stations are also using the prescribed trading forms such as Purchase Invoice Vouchers (PIVs) and Certificate of Purchase, and they have BIR registration and Mayor's Permit," said Borje.

The NTA-RD Team, joined by the Branch Manager and other officers in their respective areas, also had the opportunity to discuss current trading situations and other trading concerns with the leaf buyers, and to observe buying of tobacco leaves on the trading floor.

Some issues and concerns, however, were raised during the monitoring.

Apolinario Pagdilao, a major field canvasser in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, reported that some field canvassers from the neighboring provinces of Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union were buying leaves from Ilocos Norte farmers, which is a violation of trading rules.

NTA Ilocos Norte Branch Manager Mario E. Corpuz said that he will coordinate with the local government of Pinili to help regulate the movement of tobacco leaves and enforce the proper documentation of leaf production to protect the interest of the local government units.

In PMFTC Sta. Cruz, the buying station manager noted an increase in the number of farmers, exceeding their 15% buffer for farmers, which is an indication of a pole vaulting activity, side selling or trading outside the usual farmer-buyer contracts.

The NTA-RD Team also conducted entrance and exit conferences with the Branch Offices on the results/observations of monitoring tobacco trading operations.

Before the opening of the trading season, the Regulation Department, headed by Manager Atty. Rohbert A. Ambros, conducted in February the orientation seminar on the 2018 TRR for leaf buyers and farmers for the different branch offices. (Neyo E. Valdez)