MATI CITY, Davao Oriental— To further strengthen community-based organic certification, the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center XI, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office XI, conducted a five-day Training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Groups Towards Accreditation as an Organic Certifying Body (OCB) from February 17 to 21, 2025 at YKG Hotel.
The training aimed to equip core members of the Libudon Organic Farmers Association (LOFA) with the knowledge and skills necessary for OA certification and accreditation. Participants are expected to enhance their draft manual of operations and internal standards, which are essential for the accreditation process.
This initiative follows the issuance of the Participatory Organic Certificate (POC) to LOFA’s core PGS group by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS). The certification requires the group to secure accreditation as an Organic Certifying Body (OCB) within one year.
Mr. Ariel D. Abastillas, OA Program Focal Person of ATI-RTC XI, emphasized the training’s objectives and its crucial role in advancing organic certification. DA Alternate OAP Focal Person Ms. Janice May A. Seraspe, provided an in-depth discussion on the Updated Philippine National Standards on OA, Internal Standards, and the Manual of Operations. Meanwhile, Ms. Mary Leign B. Palma, Agriculturist II, led sessions on Peer Review and Certification Protocols, PGS management systems, and documentation procedures, equipping participants with the technical expertise needed for accreditation.
A highlight of the training was the mock peer review and farm visitation at the Elsa Abrigo and Severina Candilasa Farms in Brgy. Libudon. PGS core group members Ms. Julieta Pialan and Fr. Rolando Fernandez led structured interviews with farm owners, offering participants hands-on experience in evaluating compliance with organic farming standards. The review assessed soil fertility management, crop rotation, natural pest control, biodiversity conservation, responsible water usage, and economic sustainability.
The training culminated with 30 participants receiving Certificates of Completion, marking their preparedness to uphold organic integrity and actively contribute to community-based certification efforts.
An accredited PGS group can certify farmers within its network, reinforcing trust, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable agriculture practices as an alternative to third-party certification.
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Contributor: Gretchen Salazar
