Tagbilaran City – Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are locally focused quality assurance initiatives that follow the production-to-consumption approach in providing guarantees on the integrity and quality of organic products. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.

In 2020, the Republic Act No. 11511 or the Act Amending RA 10068 (Organic Agriculture Act of 2010) was enacted to recognize the PGS as an option for organic certification. In support of this mandate, the ATI in collaboration with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) and the DA-Regional Field Office Region VII (RFO 7) identified a set of preparatory activities for the implementation of PGS. These include the development of training modules, and series of capability-building activities for organic implementers and identified PGS organizations.

On 11 – 15 October 2021, a Training on Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) was conducted in Sunset Villa, Taloto District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. 12 farmers who are members of the Kapunongan sa Bol-anong Organikong Mag-uuma (KBOOM) and 8 agricultural extension workers (three from the provincial agriculture’s office, three from the municipal agriculture’s office and two from the state university) participated in the training.

The training aims to capacitate PGS Groups on the establishment and operations consistent with the organic agriculture standards and corresponding technical regulations. In the five-day course of the training, participants learned the salient provisions including the implementing rules and regulations of the Organic Agriculture Act as amended by RA 11511 on Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS); the organic agriculture standards and the national list of permitted substances for organic agriculture; the general requirements and procedures for accreditation of PGS group; how to conduct of peer review and certification protocols, and how to apply the applicable current Philippine National Standards (PNS) for organic agriculture.

“We have to put into perspective as to how we can operationalize PGS here in Bohol. I am not sure how long it will take for us to finalize our manual of operations but I am perceptive that in the future we will be taking more pride for our local produce in the market. Our product will become more dignified since it will have a certified organic label. We will be taking pride, together with the other producers, that our products are certified organic,” said Jose Travero – one of the training participants.

Andrew M. Macaambac and Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay from ATI RTC VII, Mae Montecillo from Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 7 in Cebu, and Emmanuel A. Odtohan from DA-Provincial Agriculture Technology Coordinating Office in Bohol shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons while Maryjane Flor Patulilic-Bonilla served as member of the training management team.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Ma. Gracia Soliva-Pungay, Project Officer, through her email at mgspungay@ati.da.gov.ph.