DA-BAFS Conducts First Surveillance of TOP-PGSSurveillance affirms commitment to organic certification standards. Gerona, Tarlac — In line with its mandate to ensure the credibility of organic certification systems, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) carried out its first surveillance of the Tarlac Organic Producers (TOP) PGS Association Inc. from April 29 to May 1, 2025.The surveillance assessed the continued compliance of TOP-PGS as an accredited Organic Certifying Body (OCB) under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). It involved an office-based assessment and on-site witnessing of peer review activities to verify that the group operates in a competent, impartial, and consistent manner.The DA-BAFS Assessment Team was supported by technical staff from the DA Regional Field Office – Central Luzon and the Local Government Unit of Gerona.This activity emphasizes the importance of sustained oversight in maintaining the integrity of organic certification processes. As one of the first accredited OCBs in the region, TOP-PGS serves as a benchmark for future PGS groups in Central Luzon.Results from the surveillance will guide the association in strengthening its internal systems and maintaining its accreditation moving forward.#OAassessment#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  First Surveillance Assessment of TOP-PGS, Gerona, Tarlac. May 10, 2025 FIeld Compliance Assessment of ongoinf Efficacy Trials, Naic, Cavite May 10, 2025 Bontoc Contributes to National Native Pork Standards. May 7, 2025 The DA-BAFS conducted three successful sessions of its seminar series on Applied Statistics in Standards-Related Research, Development, Promotion, and Assessment. May 7, 2025 A joint inspection by the DA- BAFS and DA- Regional Field Office Region XI. April 30, 2025 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 Other Post

The DA – BAFS compliance assessment team conducts field visits to verify the continued compliance of on-going efficacy trials with approved Experimental Use Permits (EUPs) in Naic, Cavite on April 29, 2025.The activity aimed to verify the continued compliance of trials to the efficacy trial protocols, implementation of mitigating measures and practices to assess the effectiveness of the biocontrol agent products against the target pests of the specific crop.The conduct of efficacy trials through EUP is a pre-requisite for the registration of Organic Bio-Control Agents (OBCA) products.#OAregistration#OAassessment#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  FIeld Compliance Assessment of ongoinf Efficacy Trials, Naic, Cavite May 10, 2025 Bontoc Contributes to National Native Pork Standards. May 7, 2025 The DA-BAFS conducted three successful sessions of its seminar series on Applied Statistics in Standards-Related Research, Development, Promotion, and Assessment. May 7, 2025 A joint inspection by the DA- BAFS and DA- Regional Field Office Region XI. April 30, 2025 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 Other Post

The DA-BAFS Standards Research Division (SRD) Team visited Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr. last May 6th to obtain vital information for the development of the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Native Pork Cuts. The BAFS team is collecting information on traditional butchering, processing, and pricing in barangays Gonogon, Bontoc Ili, Can-eo, and Mainit.Senior Science Research Specialist Melissa Astillero explained that this local understandingwill be fused with information from other areas to generate a scientific foundation for national standards. Mayor Tudlong expressed his support, noting the potential benefits for local farmers and consumers through standardized cuts and pricing.The BAFS team, with support from DA-CAR and the Provincial Veterinary Office, will continue fieldwork on May 7th. This initiative aims to establish consistent meat cut definitions and pricing, ultimately boosting the competitiveness of the native pork industry nationwide. ####BAFS#SRD#Municipality of Bontoc The DA-BAFS conducted three successful sessions of its seminar series on Applied Statistics in Standards-Related Research, Development, Promotion, and Assessment. May 7, 2025 A joint inspection by the DA- BAFS and DA- Regional Field Office Region XI. April 30, 2025 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 Other Post

The DA-BAFS conducted three successful sessions of its seminar series on Applied Statistics in Standards-Related Research, Development, Promotion, and Assessment on April 7, 14, and May 5, 2025, at the BAFS Conference Room in Diliman, Quezon City. The main objective of this learning intervention was to enhance the proficiency of DA-BAFS personnel in applied statistics, data analytics, and visualization through a structured learning program enabling them to effectively support standards research, development, promotion, and assessment.During the training, participants were introduced to the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as methods for assessing the validity and reliability of survey questionnaires. They also learned how to apply parametric and non-parametric tests, visualize data effectively, and communicate insights through data storytelling. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, from fundamental concepts to more advanced techniques, equipping attendees with a deeper understanding of how to practically apply these tools in standards development, standards-related research, impact evaluation, and organic-related functions.Statistics Experts from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Ms. Katrina D. Elizon and Mr. Peter John B. Aranas, served as the resource persons for this training.#BAFS#bafsonthemove  The DA-BAFS conducted three successful sessions of its seminar series on Applied Statistics in Standards-Related Research, Development, Promotion, and Assessment. May 7, 2025 A joint inspection by the DA- BAFS and DA- Regional Field Office Region XI. April 30, 2025 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 Other Post