In 2020, Republic Act No. 11511 or the Act Amending RA 10068 (Organic Agriculture Act of 2010) was enacted to recognize the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) as an option for organic certification. Section 14, Item (g) (Participatory Guarantee System) of the amended OA Act of 2010 states that, “The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), in close coordination with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), shall make available the required training program on organic agriculture standards and processes for PGS groups applying for accreditation”. In support of this mandate, the ATI in collaboration with BAFS, identified a set of activities for the implementation of PGS. This includes the development of training modules, and series of capability-building activities for organic implementers and identified PGS organizations.
A series of Specialist Training on PGS were conducted in 2021 and 2022. In line with this, continuous improvement of the trainers’ capacity in establishing and practicing PGS through trainings are in place. Its primary objective is to enhance the understanding of the trainers on the provisions of PGS and keep up with the updates on the relevant regulations and applicable Philippine National Standards relevant to organic agriculture. In this way, all of the ATI Regional Training Centers (ATI-RTCs) and the Regional Field Offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA-RFOs) Focal, as the forefront trainers on PGS, will be updated with the recent developments on PGS and Philippine National Standards (PNS) relevant to Organic Agriculture.
Organic Agriculture focal persons in the region gathered for another round of learning on PGS. As part of the training agreement, participants from different LGU shall organize an association or farmer group that is practicing organic farming in preparation for the PGS certification. Of which, farmers should start the conversion period, prepare their organic management plan, and apply to be a member of ONE-SAOP to be considered next in line for certification. Similarly, participants learned the importance of recording and documentation of everything and all activities that will help in the traceability of all documents. Another important aspect of the training is new knowledge in proper way of peer reviewing, a very crucial procedure in PGS along with following protocols in every farm activity.
Ms. Myrla Baldoza - OA Focal LGU Las Navas, shares, “I learned a lot about what PGS is all about. Their importance, the step by step process which is my common goal. I also learned how to identify whether the product is certified organic or not. I also learned the proper way of recording like the farm diary, inventories and more. Most of all, how important the protocol is in indulging the organic world. So through this knowledge when we go back to our respective municipality we have enough knowledge that serves as our guide in assisting our farming in applying for certified and accredited farm or produce.”
With the intensive campaign efforts of ATI-RTC 8 OA focal person Ms. Graciel Gacutan, the region continues to add PGS accredited farms. Mr. Michaelli Didal, OA Focal PLGU Samar, is impressed at how PGS is being done. “I want to give my highest appreciation to ATI-RTC 8 for the continuing support for the enhancement and development of AEW by initiating this training on the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) making sure that AEW is fully equipped in promoting Organic Agriculture following the Philippine National Standard. To ONE-SAOP group, let me congratulate you for being Accredited and Certified as a core group. Sana you will continue to multiply and continue to inspire us. I consider myself lucky to be part of this very relevant training because all my learning and knowledge gained here will be very useful as tools when introducing organic farming to our farmer clientele.”
A total of 20 participants completed the Training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for Expansion on March 13-19, 2023 in Gandara, Samar. (With written reports from Graciel V. Gacutan)
