By Kenneth Marcos 
On a rainy morning in Baler, Aurora, local farmers and agriculture advocates gathered in a small meeting hall—not to sell crops, but to take a crucial step in becoming one of the country’s trusted organic certifiers. For four days, from September 16 to 19, 2025, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA‑BAFS) conducted an official assessment of a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) group aiming to become an Organic Certifying Body (OCB).
The visit marked an important milestone in the community’s journey toward promoting safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems in the province.
What is a Participatory Guarantee System?
A Participatory Guarantee System is a locally focused certification system used to guarantee that agricultural products are grown using organic methods. Unlike third-party certification, PGS involves farmers themselves, along with community members, in monitoring and verifying organic practices.
PGS is ideal for smallholder farmers because it is affordable, community-based, and encourages shared responsibility. But for a group to be officially recognized as an OCB, they must meet strict standards set by the DA.
Assessment Process in Baler
The DA‑BAFS team reviewed the group’s Manual of Operations to check if they follow proper procedures in evaluating organic farms. The four-day assessment included:
-
Office-based evaluation of documents and internal systems
-
On-site witnessing of the group’s actual peer review process
-
Discussions on impartiality, consistency, and technical competence
While the assessment identified areas for improvement, the team commended the group’s willingness to learn, openness to feedback, and active participation—qualities essential for growth and credibility as a certifying body.
“This is not just about passing a checklist,” one assessor said. “It’s about building a trustworthy system that farmers and consumers can rely on.”
Local Support Strengthens the Effort
The activity was conducted with support from key agencies, including the DA Regional Field Office for Central Luzon and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC). Representatives from the Provincial Government of Aurora also joined, reflecting strong local support for organic agriculture development.
The assessment is part of a national initiative to decentralize organic certification, making it more accessible to small farmers and cooperatives. With more PGS groups accredited, communities can ensure the quality of organic produce sold in markets, stores, and even school feeding programs.
Why This Matters
According to DA-BAFS, recognizing local OCBs through PGS helps promote food safety, protect the environment, and raise farmer incomes. Organic products are not only in demand locally but are also gaining traction in domestic and export markets.
For consumers, a PGS label means the product has been grown without harmful chemicals and has been reviewed through transparent, community-based processes.
For farmers in Aurora, passing the assessment would mean less dependence on expensive third-party certifiers, and more control over how their products are recognized and priced in the market.
The journey to certification is not easy, but for the farmers of Baler, it’s a path worth taking—for their land, their livelihood, and the health of every Filipino family.
Pwersa Balita – Your Trusted Source in Agri News