Two new Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) groups were organized as an output of  the conduct of Training of Trainers on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Batch 2 for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and organic implementers at the ATI-RTC 02, Malasin, San Mateo, Isabela on August 19-30, 2024.

The Solano PGS for Solano, Nueva Vizcaya and Quezon PGS for Quezon, Isabela were capacitated on the establishment and operations of PGS groups according to the organic agriculture standards and technical regulations. 

Ms. Marinel R. Badongen of Quezon, Isabela said that she learned a lot from the training. “I learned the process of making internal standards (IS) and how to make our own operational  manual. I appreciate the learning on how to be specific on the words or phrases that we are using in our manual.”

During the training, the participants conducted a mock field inspection at the Beracha Integrated Farm, in Mazzozzin Norte, Santa Maria, Isabela. The activity provides them practical experience in evaluating the compliance of farms on the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for organic agriculture and other regulations.

The regional core team of trainers on PGS formation from ATI-RTC 02 and DA-RFO 02 shared their expertise on  R.A. 11511, also known as an amendment to RA 10068, declared the comprehensive government policy of the Philippines to promote and further develop the practice of organic agriculture (OA) in the country, and promote community-based organic agriculture systems, various PNS on Organic Agriculture, establishment, operation and accreditation of PGS group as Organic Certifying Bodies (OCB), and peer review & certification protocols.

Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is a quality assurance initiative that follows the production-to-consumption approach that guarantees the integrity and quality of organic products.  PGS is locally relevant and adapted that prioritize local food availability for local people during product distribution.

The Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 02 (ATI-RTC 02) in collaboration with the Departent of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 02 (DARFO02). A total of 5 AEWs and 20 organic practitioners successfully finished the said training.