The participants posing for a group picture
STA. BARBARA, PANGASINAN - In line with the Philippine National Standards and corresponding regulations, the Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center I in partnership with AGTALON Inc., a National Extension Service Provider, conducted Training on Internal Control Systems towards Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Core Group Formation on July 19-23 and July 26-30, 2021 at ATI-RTC 1, Tebag East, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. It aims to establish and operate PGS for Organic Agriculture (OA) in the province.
Among the 24 participants, 20 completed the said activity. To finalize the ten-day training, the following topics were discussed:
1. Organic Agriculture Act, its amendments, and the Implementing Rules and Regulations (Dr. Marvin Quilates of DA-RFO 1)
2. Organic Agriculture Standards and the National List of Permitted Substances for Organic Agriculture (Engr. Romeo Sena, former Inspector of Ecoland and Ms. Victoria Padilla, AGTALON Inc.)
3. Establishment and Operation of PGS (Mr. Jovito Laca and Ms. Almera Montano of ATI-RTC 1, and Mr. Norman Patungan, DA-RFO 1)
4. Accreditation of PGS groups as Organic Certifying Bodies and Peer Review Certification Protocols (Mr. Norman Patungan, DA-RFO 1 and Ms. Almera Montano)
The highlights of the training include the mock inspection of the group to the two (2) farms, the Greentop Organix Farm, an integrated farm in San Fabian, Pangasinan and Royal Cocoa Farm, a cacao-based diversified farm in Brgy. San Vicente, San Jacinto, Pangasinan as part of the Peer Review and Certification Protocols. The participants were able to produce a draft copy of the Internal Standards for their manual operation that Pangasinan PGS group will follow. The group also scheduled an inspection to the participant’s farm to validate and to check their status as per stated in the internal standards made by the group.
The following are some of the feedbacks from the participants:
Lea Astrude T. Santiago, owner of Our Farm Republic Integrated Organic Farms based in Mangatarem, Pangasinan and 1 SIKAT (Samahang Itinataguyod and Kaunlarang Agri-Turismo sa Rehiyon Uno) President attested, “The training is very timely and relevant. Consumers these days demand high quality products and fresh produce. Through this PGS training, we as farmer practicing organic agriculture will be able to cater to the demands of the scrupulous market. PGS is all about establishing Integrity, following or adhering to strict standards and procedures that are based on PNS RA 11511, this training provides us the opportunity to assess how far we’re gone as organic producers. It validates our advocacy and passion to inspire more people to go into organic. Thank you ATI-RTC1 for making us ready and very able to organize PGS Pangasinan.”
Rev. Dandelo E. Azarcon, owner of the Blessed Hillside Integrated Farm testified, “The training was a blessing! It has given me a lot of new ideas and learnings that is very useful in my area of influence and mission in life. The organizer, facilitators, and speakers are very helpful, in so many ways! As I mentioned, the training was a truly blessing! I just suggest they would continue to organize more trainings to help the farmers to be more productive, sustainable and able. That soon, we will have more farmers practicing Organic Agriculture! Thank you again ATI-RTC I team and Agtalon Inc.! God bless you all!”