The DA-BAFS Monitoring Team conducted monitoring activities to two of the DA-BAFS registered organic soil amendment producers and its products located in Davao City on November 19, 2024.The monitoring activity is conducted annually to verify the continued compliance of a BAFS-registered organic input producer to applicable technical regulations relevant to organic agriculture.#OAmonitoring#OAregistration#DABAFS#BAFSonthemove DA-BAFS Monitoring Team conducted monitoring activities to two of the DA-BAFS registered organic soil amendment producers in Davao City December 19, 2024 Assessment to a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group (Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur) December 12, 2024 Oath Taking Ceremony of DA-BAFS Newly Appointed Employees for FY 2024 December 6, 2024 ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Surveillance Audit December 6, 2024 Validation Workshop with the DA-Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) for the Study “Baseline Assessment on the Use and Impact of Philippines national Standards (PNS)” December 4, 2024 Oral Presentation of “BIOSTIMULANTS GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES” at the SAIN 4 SHGBEE3 (Siem Reap, Cambodia) November 22, 2024 DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 1 2 3 4 5

The DA-BAFS team conducted an assessment of a core PGS group in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur, on December 3-5, 2024, to evaluate the group’s compliance with the PGS accreditation requirements. Accreditation ensures the group’s competence, consistency, and impartiality in delivering organic certification services. The assessment was supported by DA Regional Field Office, ATI-Regional Training Center of Zamboanga Peninsula, and Tigbao’s Local Government Unit. Learn more about the accreditation of PGS group as Organic Certifying Body thru this link: https://bit.ly/Orga#dabafs #OAassessment #PGSforOA #BAFSonthemove #DABAFS Assessment to a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group (Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur) December 12, 2024 Oath Taking Ceremony of DA-BAFS Newly Appointed Employees for FY 2024 December 6, 2024 ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Surveillance Audit December 6, 2024 Validation Workshop with the DA-Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) for the Study “Baseline Assessment on the Use and Impact of Philippines national Standards (PNS)” December 4, 2024 Oral Presentation of “BIOSTIMULANTS GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES” at the SAIN 4 SHGBEE3 (Siem Reap, Cambodia) November 22, 2024 DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 1 2 3 4

Eight newly appointed DA-BAFS employees took their oath on November 25, 2024, at the 2nd Floor of the DA-BAFS Building, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. The oath-taking ceremony was led by OIC-Director Mary Grace R. Mandigma, PFT, and was assisted by Ms. Roxanne P. Lizardo, Administrative Officer V, and Ms. Rosemarie V. Calibo, Information Officer III of the Administrative and Finance Services. The newly appointed employees include two Science Research Specialists for the Technical Services Division, one each for the Standards Research Division, and Standards Development Division, three for the Organic Agriculture Division, and one Chief Science Research Specialist, also for the Organic Agriculture Division. Following the congratulatory message from the OIC-Director, the Ceremonial Signing of Appointments took place. To conclude the activity, all newly appointed employees recited the “Oath of Office,” signifying their commitment and dedication to their new roles and responsibilities as public servants. Photo opportunities were conducted to document this significant professional growth and development of DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards employees. (Photo by Mark Brian E. Umali and Lhesley Ann L. Bulanier) #BAFS2024#Achievement#RecruitmentandPromotion Oath Taking Ceremony of DA-BAFS Newly Appointed Employees for FY 2024 December 6, 2024 ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Surveillance Audit December 6, 2024 Validation Workshop with the DA-Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) for the Study “Baseline Assessment on the Use and Impact of Philippines national Standards (PNS)” December 4, 2024 Oral Presentation of “BIOSTIMULANTS GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES” at the SAIN 4 SHGBEE3 (Siem Reap, Cambodia) November 22, 2024 DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 1 2 3 4

Inspectors from the DA-BAFS A Commitment to Quality Assurance Quality is the cornerstone of any successful organization and in the field of agriculture and fisheries, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of products and the competitiveness of the industry. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS), throughout the years, consistently strived to produce quality products and provide customer-focused services. A testament to this commitment to maintaining processes that yield quality deliverables is the continued satisfaction of the DA-BAFS to the ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System (QMS) requirements validated through the 2nd Surveillance Audit held last December 2, 2024. Led by auditors Ms. Mary Danica Pelone and Ms. Zipporah Bernardo from TUV SUD PSB Inc., the surveillance audit aimed to review and verify the Bureau’s compliance with the ISO 9001:2015 requirements. BAFS OIC-Director Mary Grace R. Mandigma, process owners, and the concerned staff were actively involved throughout the audit process, demonstrating their commitment to quality assurance. During the closing meeting, the auditors presented the results of the surveillance audit, which identified a total of seven findings, all categorized as opportunities for improvement. While it is not uncommon to have findings in such audits, the most significant news is that the auditors concluded that the Bureau’s current Quality Management System (QMS) fully satisfied the ISO 9001:2015 requirements. #BAFS #ISOCertified Validation Workshop with the DA-Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) for the Study “Baseline Assessment on the Use and Impact of Philippines national Standards (PNS)” December 23, 2024 ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Surveillance Audit December 6, 2024 Oral Presentation of “BIOSTIMULANTS GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES” at the SAIN 4 SHGBEE3 (Siem Reap, Cambodia) November 22, 2024 DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 1 2 3 4

The DA-BAFS Technical Services Division presented the initial findings of the study titled Baseline Assessment of the Reach, Usefulness, and Use of Philippine National Standards (PNS) during a validation workshop with the DA – Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs). The workshop was held from November 13 to 14, 2024, in Baguio City. The main goal of the workshop was to validate the findings from the survey questionnaire and the focus group discussions (FGDs) with respondents from the eight DA-FSRAs. This ensured that the data collected were accurate and reflective of their responses. Additionally, the workshop aimed to determine if the responses aligned with the study objectives and provided relevant data. The data derived from this study will be used to enhance policies and mechanisms for improving standards development, promotion processes, and their products.#BAFS #PNSBaselineAssessment Validation Workshop with the DA-Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) for the Study “Baseline Assessment on the Use and Impact of Philippines national Standards (PNS)” December 23, 2024 Oral Presentation of “BIOSTIMULANTS GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES” at the SAIN 4 SHGBEE3 (Siem Reap, Cambodia) November 22, 2024 DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) November 14, 2024 1 2 3 4

Ms. Edna Lynn Floresca, Chief of BAFS-Standards Research Division (SRD) presented the study, “Biostimulants Guidelines and Regulations: A Comparative Analysis of Different Countries” during the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (SAIN 4) and the Third International Conference on School Plus Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE3) in Siem Reap, Cambodia on November 19-22, 2024. The Conference was organized by the Center for Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN) and the South East Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). The conference aims to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation focused on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and biodiversity in the community. #BAFSinCAMBODIA #SRD Oral Presentation of “BIOSTIMULANTS GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES” at the SAIN 4 SHGBEE3 (Siem Reap, Cambodia) November 22, 2024 DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to Core PGS Farmer – Members (Romblon) November 14, 2024 1 2 3 4

In support of the celebration of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) joined the celebration by recitation of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) pledge and signing of commitment during the Bureau’s flag-raising ceremony on November 18, 2024. The Bureau’s cooperation during WAAW celebration represents a significant step in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. By committing to responsible antimicrobial use, improving infection control, and supporting education and research efforts, signatories contribute to a collective movement aimed at preserving the effectiveness of life-saving drugs.Additionally, the Bureau participated in the celebration of WAAW related activity for the agricultural sector held last November 19, 2024 at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Quezon City, and acted as one of the resource speakers during the event. Mr. John Gregory V. Aquino represented the agency and shared in his presentation the efforts related to development and promotions of Philippine National Standards (PNS) and how the PNS serves as a key tool in combating AMR.The WAAW is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.The DA-BAFS through continued commitment, collaboration, and accountability, can work together to suppress the threat of antimicrobial resistance and safeguard public health for future generations.#AMR#WAAW#BAFStosupport DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) November 22, 2024 Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to Core PGS Farmer – Members (Romblon) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to PGS Core Farmers – Members. Oriental Mindoro November 14, 2024 1 2 3 4 Section Title ByAllister Budlao December 18, 2024 Public Advisory Important update:The guidelines for the provision and promotion of bio-fertilizers in corn areas… Read More Pamantayan Isyu #5 ByAllister Budlao December 17, 2024 News Letter Edited By: Rosemarie V. Calibo, Katrina L. Maminta Consolidated By: Kristel Alarice R. Aborido… Read More DA-BAFS Support to the Celebration of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) ByAllister Budlao November 22, 2024 BAFS in Action … Read More Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) ByAllister Budlao November 21, 2024 BAFS in Action The DA-BAFS Organic Agriculture Division, in collaboration with the DA-MIMAROPA, with the assistance… Read More DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite ByAllister Budlao November 21, 2024 BAFS in Action The DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite on… Read More Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) ByAllister Budlao November 21, 2024 BAFS in Action As part of ensuring continued compliance of an accredited PGS group with the accreditation… Read More Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) ByAllister Budlao November 14, 2024 BAFS in Action The Assessment Team from DA-BAFS and DA-RFO Regulatory Division conducted an annual surveillance… Read More Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) ByAllister Budlao November 14, 2024 BAFS in Action From October 29-31, 2024, the DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted the annual surveillance of the… Read More Pre-Inspection to Core PGS Farmer – Members (Romblon) ByAllister Budlao November 14, 2024 BAFS in Action DA-BAFS and DA-RFO MIMAROPA Regulatory Division, assisted by the Office of the Provincial… Read More

The DA-BAFS Organic Agriculture Division, in collaboration with the DA-MIMAROPA, with the assistance from the Provincial Agriculture’s Office of Palawan and the Municipal Agriculture’s Offices of the Municipality of Aborlan and Quezon, conducted a supervised certification for the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Groups in the province from November 11 to 15, 2024. The activity aimed to provide technical assistance to the accredited PGS group, ensuring that their organic certification process—covering receiving and processing a farmer member’s application for certification, preparation for peer review, conducting the peer review, evaluating peer review findings, formulating and endorsing certification decisions, to finally issuing the Participatory Organic Certificate—is conducted in full compliance with the group’s Manual of Operations (MOO). A critical component of this activity is the supervised peer review, which is intended to guide peer reviewers in verifying the compliance of applicant farmer members with the PGS group’s Internal Standards (IS).#OAtechnicalassistance#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS Supervised Certification of PGS Group (Aborian and Quezon, Palawan) November 21, 2024 DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to Core PGS Farmer – Members (Romblon) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to PGS Core Farmers – Members. Oriental Mindoro November 14, 2024 In celebration of the Mental Health Month, the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards conducted a seminar titled “Mental Health Check-In” October 30, 2024 1 2 3 4

The DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite on November 19-22 November 2024. The initial assessment is composed of an office-based assessment and witnessing of the group’s peer review. The assessment aims to verify the compliance of the group with the accreditation requirements for them to operate as an organic certifying body ensuring they conduct certification in a competent, consistent, and impartial manner.The assessment was assisted by the DA-RFO and DA-ATI RTC of CALABARZON together with the representatives of the Local Government Unit of the Province of Cavite.Learn more about the accreditation of PGS group as OCB through this link: bit.ly/OrganicPGS#OAassessment#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS DA-BAFS Assessment Team conducted an assessment to a core PGS Group based in Amadeo, Cavite November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to Core PGS Farmer – Members (Romblon) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to PGS Core Farmers – Members. Oriental Mindoro November 14, 2024 In celebration of the Mental Health Month, the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards conducted a seminar titled “Mental Health Check-In” October 30, 2024 Pre-Inspection of Core PGS Farmer – Members. Tagum City, Davao del Norte October 24, 2024 1 2 3 4

As part of ensuring continued compliance of an accredited PGS group with the accreditation requirements, a surveillance was conducted for Bohol Participatory Guarantee System Association (BPGSA) in Dimiao, Bohol on November 11-14, 2024. Office-based assessment and witnessing of their peer reviews were part of the surveillance assessment.The DA-BAFS Assessment Team was joined and assisted by the representatives from DA-RFO and DA-ATI RTC of Central Visayas, and from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of the Province of Bohol during the conduct of surveillance.#OAassessment#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS Surveillance Audit to an Accredited PGS Group (Dimiao, Bohol) November 21, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Itogon, Benguet) November 14, 2024 Surveillance Audit of an Accredited PGS OCB (Cabatuan, Iloilo) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to Core PGS Farmer – Members (Romblon) November 14, 2024 Pre-Inspection to PGS Core Farmers – Members. Oriental Mindoro November 14, 2024 In celebration of the Mental Health Month, the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards conducted a seminar titled “Mental Health Check-In” October 30, 2024 Pre-Inspection of Core PGS Farmer – Members. Tagum City, Davao del Norte October 24, 2024 Inspection of CORE PGS Farmer – Members October 24, 2024 1 2 3