The DA-BAFS, in collaboration with the DA-Regional Field Office 6 and in coordination with the Provincial and Municipal Agriculture Offices of Iloilo and Aklan, conducted field data gathering activities to support the development of an Explanatory Manual for the Philippine National Standard (PNS) Organic Poultry – Code of Practice (COP). The activity was carried out across five (5) organic-certified poultry farms in Iloilo and Aklan.The primary objective of this initiative was to collect and document information and images that will help ensure a harmonized interpretation of the provisions stated in the PNS Organic Poultry – COP.The Explanatory Manual will serve as a supplementary document to the PNS, aimed at enhancing users’ understanding of the standard through additional notes, clarifications, and relevant visual references.This manual is envisioned to be a valuable resource in promoting the consistent and effective application of the PNS Organic Poultry standards.#BAFS #PGS #ORGANICPOULTRY  Field Data Gathering for the Development of Explanatory Manual for PNS Organic Poultry – Code of Practice April 29, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts 3rd Surveillance of TOFPA-COOP, the Philippines’ First Accredited PGS Group April 29, 2025 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group April 25, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Input April 25, 2025 A Spark of Recognition: BFP Awards DA-BAFS April 23, 2025 Monitoring of Core PGS Farmer-Members April 21, 2025 Capability Building Activities on PNS for Organic Agriculture April 15, 2025 Inspections of Core PGS Farmer-Members April 15, 2025 Other Post

DA-BAFS Conducts 3rd Surveillance of TOFPA-COOP, the Philippines’ First Accredited PGS GroupTublay, Benguet — The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) conducted the third surveillance of the Tublay Organic Farming Practitioners Agriculture Cooperative (TOFPA-COOP) on April 22–25, 2025 to monitor its compliance as an accredited Organic Certifying Body (OCB) under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).TOFPA-COOP, based in Tublay, Benguet, holds the distinction of being the first PGS group accredited in the Philippines since the national rollout of the PGS program in 2022. The cooperative has since served as a model for community-based organic certification.The surveillance included an office-based assessment and witnessing of peer review activities to evaluate the group’s competence, impartiality, and consistency in operating as an OCB. Technical personnel from the DA Regional Field Office – Cordillera Administrative Region and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) CAR assisted the DA-BAFS Assessment Team throughout the activity.TOFPA-COOP’s performance during this surveillance reaffirms its continuing commitment to uphold the integrity and credibility of its certification work. The group’s experience as the first accredited PGS OCB sets a benchmark for newer groups, highlighting the importance of maintaining high standards in peer review and certification processes.The outcome of the surveillance will guide TOFPA-COOP’s next steps to strengthen its operations and ensure sustained compliance with accreditation requirements. This activity reflects DA-BAFS’ sustained efforts to promote credible organic certification through PGS, helping build trust among farmers, consumers, and local communities in the country’s organic sector.#OAassessment#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS       DA-BAFS Conducts 3rd Surveillance of TOFPA-COOP, the Philippines’ First Accredited PGS Group April 29, 2025 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group April 25, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Input April 25, 2025 A Spark of Recognition: BFP Awards DA-BAFS April 23, 2025 Monitoring of Core PGS Farmer-Members April 21, 2025 Capability Building Activities on PNS for Organic Agriculture April 15, 2025 Inspections of Core PGS Farmer-Members April 15, 2025 A supervised certification service was provided to the PGS group in Sta. Maria, Isabela April 15, 2025 Other Post