Borongan City, E. Samar - IFOAM Organics International defines Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) as locally focused quality assurance systems based on active participation and built on trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange. PGS allows organic farmers to be capacitated and have their farms certified without the expensive costs.
To further assist organic farmers in Eastern Visayas, ATI RTC 8 conducted the Training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for Farmer Groups Batch 2. The training aims to capacitate the members of the Farm East Integrated Farmers Association on the establishment and operations of PGS groups consistent with the organic agriculture standards and corresponding technical regulations.
The twenty-four participants were taught the salient provisions including the implementing rules and regulations of the Organic Agriculture Act as amended by RA 11511 on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS). Further, resource persons discussed the applicable current Philippine National Standards (PNS) for organic agriculture; policy mandates including procedures for better implementation of the PGS; and the general requirements and procedures for accreditation of PGS group.
The participants also demonstrated the conduct of peer review and certification protocols. As an output of the training, they association also prepared their Manual of Operation.
Mr. Bryan Canlas was happy and thankful to have attended the training. He said, “We will strive to follow the minimum requirement on PNS for OA because we were encouraged and challenged by this training about OA Certification and PGS Accreditation. We will try our best that in three years’ time, Can-Avid will become a certified organic producer”.
Mr. Jerald BArsana also remarked, “On behalf of the Farm East Integrated Farmers Association, we are very much thankful for being part of this training. We promise to give importance on the salient points of becoming a certified and soon to be accredited PGS. We commit ourselves to become a certifying body in our municipality so that all your efforts and sacrifices will not be wasted”.
The training was conducted at on May 23-June 3, 2022 at St. Mary's College, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
