The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 02 (ATI-RTC 02) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 02 (DARFO 02) conducted an intensive Training of Trainers on Certified Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Groups towards Accreditation as Organic Certifying Bodies (OCB) on June 24-28, 2024 at ATI-RTC 02, Malasin, San Mateo, Isabela.

The training aimed to prepare certified PGS groups for accreditation as Organic Certifying Bodies (OCB). Twenty-one members of Santa Maria Isabela PGS Inc. (SMIPGSI) and five Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) completed the training program.

The participants were oriented on aligning the Internal Standards of the PGS group with the Philippine National Standards relevant to Organic Agriculture and Management Systems/Procedures and Documentation of PGS. Also, they were able to learn the general requirements and procedures for accreditation of the PGS group as OCB. As an output, the participants were able to enhance their draft  Internal Standards and Manual of Operation (MOP).

The trainees also underwent lecture-discussion and workshop, and a field inspection conducted at Santa Maria, Isabela. This practical experience enhanced their skills in conducting peer reviews and certification protocols.

Meanwhile, Samuel P. Abat, Jr., an Agriculture Extension Worker from Santa Maria, Isabela, was very thankful for the training he had attended. He compared the learnings as healthy seeds today and they will become a better plant tomorrow. “Sa mga taga ATI-RTC 02 at DA RFO2 na mga naging resource person natin, pati nadin sa mga taga OPA, salamat po sa pagtutulungan ng bawat isa para ma-certify na ang PGS Santa Maria. May iiwan po ako na sayings,  A healthy seeds today are a better plant tomorrow. Ang seeds na sinasabi ko dito ay ang PGS Santa Maria. Lahat ng mga natutunan natin sa nakalipas na araw ay mai-share pa sa kapwa na mga farmer. This will challenge ang PGS natin para maka pag encourage pa tayo nag mag engage into Organic,” he said.

On June 24, 2024, on the same date as the opening of the training, the Participatory Organic Certificates (POCs) were issued to the following Core Members of the Santa Maria Isabela PGS Inc; Arvin A. Dumendeng of AR VYX Eco Farm, Johnny R. Palding of JRP Farm, Villabuena Rosito T. Cureg of Sito's Farm and Resort, Marlos D. Cabaddu of Beracah Integrated Farm, and Reginald S. Laggui of Regie's Integrated Farm.

The POC is an attestation that the aforementioned farmer and their crops are guaranteed and certified organic by BAFS and found in compliance with the current Philippine National Standards for Organic Agriculture and other applicable regulations for organic agriculture. It is also one of the steps towards becoming fully Accredited PGS by Santa Maria PGS Inc. where they will be given the responsibility and right to certify farms of fellow organic farmers who want to become certified PGS in their province.