By Kenneth Marcos 
Gandara, Samar – Farmers of One Samar Agro-Organic Practitioners Inc. (ONE-SAOP) received hands-on support from the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) during a supervised certification activity held from March 9 to 13, 2026.
The week-long program aimed to reinforce ONE-SAOP’s role as an accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB). Farmers and staff underwent training on key certification processes, including handling applications, conducting peer reviews, performing certification assessments, and issuing the Participatory Organic Certificate (POC).
A re-orientation on OCB operations was also conducted to ensure strict compliance with certification procedures and the organization’s Manual of Operations. By the end of the program, ONE-SAOP was better equipped to carry out inspection and certification activities, ensuring that organic applicants meet established internal standards.
The initiative, supported by DA-Regional Field Office VIII and the Local Government Unit of Gandara, highlights the government’s commitment to strengthening organic agriculture in the region. It provides farmers with reliable certification services that can improve market access and assure consumers of high-quality, organically produced products.
With proper supervision and technical guidance, PGS-OCBs like ONE-SAOP can maintain the integrity of the certification process, promote sustainable practices, and support the growth of the country’s organic farming sector.
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