The participants conduct Mock Inspections as they practice the learnings and skills gained/acquired from the training.
NEW LUCENA, Iloilo – Some farmers associations in Iloilo and Negros Occidental aspire to become future organic certifying bodies by participating in the Training of Trainers on Participatory Guarantee System from April 15-24, 2024 in Gaja Agri Farm, Bita-og, Gaja.
The 27 participants are from the Calinog Vegetable Growers, Livestock & Poultry Raisers Association, Organic Farmers and Producers Association of New Lucena (OFPANELU), Organic Farmers Association of Zarraga (OFAZ), Amia Village Organic Farmers Association (AVOFA), and Mambucano Cacao, Coffee, and Coconut Organic Producers Association (MCCCOPA). Aside from them, Organic Agriculture Coordinators and Organic Agriculture Staff from DA-RFO 6 attended the activity.
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food & Agrarian Reform, gives her message of support during the opening program.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food & Agrarian Reform, gave her message of support via recorded video during the opening program. Meanwhile, Godynel C. Isedenia, NOAB Director for the Visayas, encouraged the participants to push through the accreditation because there is a budget for them as OCB and PGS Certified farmers. He expressed his testimony as Aklan Provincial Organic Producers Association (APOPA).
Jeffrey S. Garrido, Marc Owell A. Ama from Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, and Florepe M. Mortalla from ATI Region 6 served as the resource persons for the training. They covered the topics namely Salient provisions and implementing rules and regulations of the Organic Agriculture Act as amended by RA 11511 on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), Overview of the organic agriculture-regulated regulations, Conversion to organic agriculture, Minimum requirements for organic crop production, poultry and swine production, unique products, processed organic products, labeling and consumer information, Traceability and recordkeeping, National List of Permitted Substance for Organic Agriculture, Other relevant PNS for Organic Agriculture, Key Elements of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), Features and Characteristics of PGS Group: Legal personality, Internal Standards of the PGS that are consistent with the requirements of applicable current Philippine National Standards, Management Systems/ Procedures and Documentation of PGS, Roles and Responsibilities of PGS Stakeholders, Mark or seal as evidence of Organic status, Accreditation of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Groups as Organic Certifying Bodies: Its Scope, Objectives and Definition of Terms, Accreditation of PGS Groups as Organic Certifying Bodies, Use of the Philippine PGS Guaranteed Organic” mark, Other Provisions of the guidelines (Confidentiality and Impartiality, sanctions, Complaints, and Appeals, Peer Review & Certification (General Protocol and Principles), and Documentation and recordkeeping.
The Zarraga Group prepares its Internal Standards (IS) and Manual of Operation (MOO).
Aside from lectures, there was a workshop on the preparation of a Manual of Operation (MOO), Internal Standards (IS), and Individual Organic Management Practices (MOP). As a result, they developed and presented 5 MOOs, 5 IS, and twenty MOPs. Ms. Mortalla and Mr. Isedenia gave comments, suggestions, and recommendations to enhance their output further. Lastly, there was an actual field assessment/mock peer review to further demonstrate and practice the skills in peer review and certification.
“I will leave this training with sincere gratitude to the ATI but also with appreciation and most importantly with confidence as I pursue my advocacy on Organic farming. My learnings here will surely reinforce my self-confidence as we pursue our PGS Core Group immediate Certification through the assistance of all stakeholders such as ATI, DA, BAFS, LGU, and farmers around the vicinity,” shared Ruben B. Cerbo, Member, Calinog Organic Fruit and Vegetables Farmers Association in his testimony during the closing program.
The primary objective of the activity is to capacitate the AEWs (OA Focal) and organized farmers on the establishment and operations of PGS groups consistent with the organic agriculture standards and corresponding technical regulations towards a unified understanding of the provision of PGS.
The participants pose with the Training Management Team during the Closing Program.
