By Kenneth Marcos 
Under the heat of the October sun, farmers in Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro welcomed visitors not with fanfare—but with honest work and baskets of organic produce, grown from months of care and discipline.
From October 7 to 9, 2025, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) led a field monitoring visit to the Organico Mindoreños – Occidental PGS Group (OM-OM PGS Group) to ensure that its farmer-members remain compliant with national organic farming standards.
The visit focused on verifying if farmers continue to follow the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for organic agriculture. It also served to check if previous issues found in earlier inspections have been resolved through proper corrective actions.
This activity is part of the government’s efforts to promote safe, healthy, and environment-friendly farming, especially in rural communities where organic farming is gaining ground.
Local farmers under the spotlight
The OM-OM PGS Group is composed of local organic farmers who voluntarily follow strict guidelines on soil health, natural pest control, and non-use of synthetic chemicals. They are part of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), a system that helps certify small organic farmers through peer review and community-based monitoring, instead of costly third-party audits.
The BAFS team was joined by representatives from the DA Regional Field Office – MIMAROPA and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Magsaysay. Their presence provided technical guidance and showed support for the group’s ongoing commitment to organic practices.
Inspectors visited farms and conducted interviews with members to check if they are following organic practices such as crop rotation, composting, and natural inputs. They also reviewed documentation and looked into how the group handled previous inspection findings.
Why organic compliance matters
Organic farming is more than just a trend—it is a national goal. The Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 encourages the use of sustainable farming systems and the reduction of harmful chemical inputs in food production.
But keeping organic integrity takes effort. Monitoring ensures that the food labeled as “organic” meets the standards that protect both consumers and the environment.
BAFS emphasized that their role is not to punish farmers, but to guide and assist them in meeting standards through capacity building and continuous support.
Building trust in organic food
The Participatory Guarantee System, recognized by the Department of Agriculture, is a cost-effective way for smallholder farmers to gain market access. It helps consumers trust that the vegetables, fruits, and rice they buy from these farmers are truly organic.
Consumers increasingly look for organic produce in public markets and community stores—not only for health reasons, but also to support local agriculture and small-scale producers.
With proper monitoring and consistent compliance, groups like OM-OM PGS strengthen this trust and contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable food system.
As the visit ended, the team reaffirmed its commitment to helping these farmers maintain their organic status, while encouraging more farming communities to embrace sustainable agriculture.
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