Mahinog, CAMIGUIN---A five-day training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group Towards Accreditation was successfully held from May 19 to 23, 2025, at the Queobe Restaurant and Training Center in Mahinog, Camiguin.
The training convened 11 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and 20 organic farmer-practitioners from five municipalities across Camiguin. The program aimed to strengthen the capacity of participants in working towards accreditation as an Organic Certifying Body (OCB) under the PGS framework.
The primary objective of the training was to deepen the participantsโ understanding of the standards and requirements for accrediting a PGS group as an OCB. To achieve this, the training covered the following key modules:
- Module 1: Internal Standards and Manual of Operations
- Module 2: Accreditation of PGS Groups as Organic Certifying Bodies (OCB)
- Module 3: Peer Review and Certification Protocols
These modules were facilitated by DA-RFO Agriculturist II Mark Anthony D. Lagamon, who handled Modules 1 and 3, and Senior Agriculturist Javier P. Andalan led the discussion of Module 2 and co-facilitated Module 3.
The training led to several significant outcomes:
- Improvement of the draft Manual of Operations (MOO) developed by the Core PGS Group, aligned with the BAFS template.
- Strengthening of internal standards in accordance with PNS-BAFS-337-2022 on Organic Crop Production.
- Increased awareness and comprehension of the accreditation requirements and procedures for OCBs.
- Hands-on demonstration of peer review and certification protocols, including as part of the hands-on learning component, participants conducted a mock peer review by visiting two separate farms in Guinsiliban, Camiguin. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group inspected the farm of Mr. Sandy V. Pacudan while the second group visited the farm of Mr. Saturnino Mambayas, Jr.
Both farm owners are applicants for PGS accreditation and are also members of the Peer Review Committee.
During the visits, participants applied the peer review and certification protocols discussed during the training. They conducted thorough inspections and evaluated compliance based on internal standards and national guidelines. The activity concluded with a feedback session, where both groups received constructive critique and recommendations from the resource persons, reinforcing their understanding of practical certification procedures.
The activity was effectively organized and coordinated by Mr. Joebert Apdian, with support from ATI-RTC X. The training was also accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), granting 13 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to AEWs for license renewal. (written and submitted by: Joebert Apdian, TSS)
